He And She.

HE.
I know a youth who loves a little maid
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid
(Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!)

SHE.
I know a maid who loves a gallant youth,
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
She cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)

BOTH.
Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

HE.
He cannot eat and he cannot sleep
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Daily he goes for to wail for to weep
(Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!)

SHE.
She's very thin and she's very pale
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
Daily she goes for to weep for to wail
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)

BOTH.
Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

SHE.
If I were the youth I should offer her my name
(Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)

HE.
If I were the maid I should feed his honest flame
(Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!)

SHE.
If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)

HE.
If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way
(For I really do believe that timid youth will die'!)

BOTH.
I thank you much for your counsel true;
I've learnt what that poor soul ought to do!

William Schwenck Gilbert

William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet, and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas, including 'H.M.S. Pinafore', 'The Pirates of Penzance', and 'The Mikado'. His works are known for their light-hearted satirical humor and have remained popular for their wit and creativity. Gilbert was also a barrister and produced several serious plays.

William Schwenck Gilbert

An Appeal.

William Schwenck Gilbert, Simple Poetry

John And Freddy

William Schwenck Gilbert, Simple Poetry

The First Lord's Song.

William Schwenck Gilbert, Simple Poetry

The Heavy Dragoon.

William Schwenck Gilbert, Simple Poetry

English

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YOUTH.

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From out my house, I tell thee!
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I sing of a maid's repentant fears,

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Her levity's changed to truth and tears

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She dreads no more the threats of her mother,
She dreads far less the blows of her brother,

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The sun shines bright through the casement high -
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The Two Sides Of The River

The Youths.

O Winter, O white winter, wert thou gone
No more within the wilds were I alone
Leaping with bent bow over stock and stone!

No more alone my love the lamp should burn,
Watching the weary spindle twist and turn,
Or o'er the web hold back her tears and yearn:
O winter, O white winter, wert thou gone!

The Maidens.

Sweet thoughts fly swiftlier than the drifting snow,
And with the twisting threads sweet longings grow,
And o'er the web sweet pictures come and go,
For no white winter are we long alone.

The Youths.

O stream so changed, what hast thou done to me,
That I thy glittering ford no more can see
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The Destined Maid: A Prayer

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O MIGHTY Queen, our Lady of the fire,
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If thou hast pity, pity grant to me;
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For all that bounty 'thirst and hungering.
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For me, I know, but lonely sorrowing -
Send me a maiden meet for love, I pray!

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