Songs of a Savoyard/Braid the Raven Hair

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search

From The Mikado.

1913172Songs of a Savoyard — Braid the Raven HairW. S. Gilbert


BRAID THE RAVEN HAIR.

BRAID the raven hair,
Weave the supple tress,
Deck the maiden fair
In her loveliness;
Paint the pretty face,
Dye the coral lip,
Emphasize the grace
Of her ladyship!
Art and nature, thus allied,
Go to make a pretty bride!

Sit with downcast eye,
Let it brim with dew;
Try if you can cry,
We will do so, too.
When you're summoned, start,
Like a frightened roe;
Flutter, little heart.
Colour, come and go!
Modesty at marriage tide
Well becomes a pretty bride!