Valentine's Day Event Resource File

I've tried to find songs that were actually in the common lexicon of the time period, and I've included the full lyrics, as well as a precoded emits for each. Feel free to use them as you please.

I've also tried to include some love poetry that is also fitting in the period.

OOC Note: I'll be adding to this page up to and through the V-Day event, so check back if you don't see something you like. Or if you'd like a specific song or poem included in the event, page or @mail me in game.

- Ohls

Traditional Love Songs

Cowboy / Old West Love(ish) Songs

Red River Valley

From this valley they say you are going,
I shall miss your sweet face and bright smile.
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened my pathway awhile.

I've been thinking a long time my darling,
Of those sweet words you never would say,
But the last of my fond hopes have vanished
For they say you are going away.

(chorus)

Then come sit here awhile ere you leave us
Do not hasten to bid us adieu,
And remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loves you so true.

I have promised you, darling, that never
Would words from my lips cause you pain;
My life will be yours forever
If only you sill love me again.

There never could be such a longing
In the heart of a poor cowboys breast,
As dwells in this heart you are breaking
While I wait in my home in the west.

Do you think of this valley you are leaving,
Oh, how lonely and dreary it will be?
Do you think of the kind hearts you are breaking,
And the pain you are causing to me?

EMIT

@emit From this valley they say you are going,%rI shall miss your sweet face and bright smile.%rFor they say you are taking the sunshine%rThat has brightened my pathway awhile.%r%rI've been thinking a long time my darling,%rOf those sweet words you never would say,%rBut the last of my fond hopes have vanished%rFor they say you are going away.%r%r(chorus)%r%rThen come sit here awhile ere you leave us%rDo not hasten to bid us adieu,%rAnd remember the Red River Valley%rAnd the cowboy who loves you so true.%r%rI have promised you, darling, that never%rWould words from my lips cause you pain;%rMy life will be yours forever%rIf only you sill love me again.%r%rThere never could be such a longing%rIn the heart of a poor cowboys breast,%rAs dwells in this heart you are breaking%rWhile I wait in my home in the west.%r%rDo you think of this valley you are leaving,%rOh, how lonely and dreary it will be?%rDo you think of the kind hearts you are breaking,%rAnd the pain you are causing to me?%R

Cowboy Love Song

See the sun a-comin' out,
Behind the thunder showers,
Honey-Chile, the mornin' loves you true.
Li'l raindrops glisten
On the painted Injun flowers,
Honey-Chile, the mornin' loves you true.

The muddy road is brown and still,
As far as you can see;
Honey-Chile the noon-time loves you true.
A great big deer's a-watchin' us,
Beneath that cedar tree,
Honey-Chile the noon-time loves you true.

The sun is sinkin' through the trees,
And leaves the clouds all red.
Honey-Chile, the evenin' loves you true.
Just like I lights a nice warm fire
Before I goes to bed.
Honey-Chile, the evenin' loves you true.

Old Lady Moon comes peekin' up
To see what she can see.
Honey-Chile, the night time loves you true.
And finds you sittin' on a rock
So very close to me.
Honey-Chile, I guess I loves you too.

EMIT

@emit See the sun a-comin' out,%rBehind the thunder showers,%rHoney-Chile, the mornin' loves you true.%rLi'l raindrops glisten%rOn the painted Injun flowers,%rHoney-Chile, the mornin' loves you true.%r%rThe muddy road is brown and still,%rAs far as you can see;%rHoney-Chile the noon-time loves you true.%rA great big deer's a-watchin' us,%rBeneath that cedar tree,%rHoney-Chile the noon-time loves you true.%r%rThe sun is sinkin' through the trees,%rAnd leaves the clouds all red.%rHoney-Chile, the evenin' loves you true.%rJust like I lights a nice warm fire%rBefore I goes to bed.%rHoney-Chile, the evenin' loves you true.%r%rOld Lady Moon comes peekin' up%rTo see what she can see.%rHoney-Chile, the night time loves you true.%rAnd finds you sittin' on a rock%rSo very close to me.%rHoney-Chile, I guess I loves you too.%R

Arizona Killer

I killed a man in Dallas,
And another in Cheyenne
But when I killed the man in Tombstone
I overplayed my hand

I rode all night for Tucson
To rob the Robles Mine
And I left old Arizona
With a posse right behind

I rode across the border
And there it did not fail
The men that was a-follerin' me
They soon did lose my trail;

They galloped back to Tucson
To get the Cavalry
While I stayed on in Mexico
Enjoying liberty;

Ayi-ha, enjoyed my liberty
I promised my Rosita
A pretty dress of blue
She said, "You'd go and get it

So I went back to the border
Just to get that gal a dress
I killed a man in Guaymas
And two in Nogales;

But the posse was a-waitin'
To get me on the trail
Now in Tombstone I'm a layin'
In the Cochise County jail;

They-re gonna hang me in the morning
A'fore this night is done
They're gonna hang me in the mornin'
And I'll never see the sun

I want to warn you fellers
And tell you one by one
What makes a gallows rope to swing
A woman and a gun

EMIT

@emit I killed a man in Dallas, %rAnd another in Cheyenne %rBut when I killed the man in Tombstone %rI overplayed my hand %r%rI rode all night for Tucson %rTo rob the Robles Mine %rAnd I left old Arizona %rWith a posse right behind %r%rI rode across the border%rAnd there it did not fail %rThe men that was a-follerin' me %rThey soon did lose my trail; %r%rThey galloped back to Tucson %rTo get the Cavalry %rWhile I stayed on in Mexico %rEnjoying liberty; %r%rAyi-ha, enjoyed my liberty %rI promised my Rosita %rA pretty dress of blue %rShe said, "You'd go and get it%r%rSo I went back to the border %rJust to get that gal a dress %rI killed a man in Guaymas %rAnd two in Nogales;%r %rBut the posse was a-waitin' %rTo get me on the trail %rNow in Tombstone I'm a layin' %rIn the Cochise County jail; %r%rThey-re gonna hang me in the morning %rA'fore this night is done %rThey're gonna hang me in the mornin' %rAnd I'll never see the sun %r%rI want to warn you fellers %rAnd tell you one by one %rWhat makes a gallows rope to swing %rA woman and a gun%r

The Bucking Bronco

My love is a rider, wild horses he breaks,
But he promised to quit it all just for my sake;
He sold off his saddle, his spurs, and his rope,
And there'll be no more riding, and that's what I hope.

The first time I saw him was early last spring,
A-riding a bronco, a high-headed thing;
He laughed and he talked as they danced to and fro
He promised he'd not ride no other bronco.

My love has a gun that has gone to the bad,
Which makes all the ladies to feel very sad;
He give me some presents, among them a ring
But the return I gave him was a far better thing.

Now, all you young ladies that live on the Platte
Don't marry the cowboy who wears a white hat;
He'll pet you and court you and then be will go
And ride up the trail on another bronco.

EMIT

@emit My love is a rider, wild horses he breaks,%rBut he promised to quit it all just for my sake;%rHe sold off his saddle, his spurs, and his rope,%rAnd there'll be no more riding, and that's what I hope.%r%rThe first time I saw him was early last spring,%rA-riding a bronco, a high-headed thing;%rHe laughed and he talked as they danced to and fro%rHe promised he'd not ride no other bronco.%r%rMy love has a gun that has gone to the bad,%rWhich makes all the ladies to feel very sad;%rHe give me some presents, among them a ring%rBut the return I gave him was a far better thing.%r%rNow, all you young ladies that live on the Platte%rDon't marry the cowboy who wears a white hat;%rHe'll pet you and court you and then be will go%rAnd ride up the trail on another bronco. %r

Down in the Valley

Down in the valley, the valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

Writing this letter, containing three lines
Answer my question, will you be mine?
Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine?
Answer my question, will you be mine?

Write me a letter, send it by mail
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail,
Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
Angels in Heaven know I love you
Know I love you, dear, know I love you
Angels in Heaven Know I love you

EMIT

@emit Down in the valley, the valley so low %rHang your head over, hear the wind blow %rHear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow %rHang your head over, hear the wind blow %r%rWriting this letter, containing three lines %rAnswer my question, will you be mine? %rWill you be mine, dear, will you be mine? %rAnswer my question, will you be mine? %r%rWrite me a letter, send it by mail %rSend it in care of the Birmingham jail, %rBirmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail %rSend it in care of the Birmingham jail %r%rRoses love sunshine, violets love dew %rAngels in Heaven know I love you %rKnow I love you, dear, know I love you %rAngels in Heaven Know I love you%r

Yellow Rose of Texas

The Yellow Rose of Texas was a woman fair to see
Though many loved her beauty, she lived in slavery,
When war was fought in Texas and the battles shook our lives
General Santa Anna took Emily as a prize.

Cho: She's the sweetest rose of color that Texas ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew,
You may talk about your Clementine, And sing of Rosa Lee
But the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

He tried to win her favors, thought himself a dashing man
But his courtship she rejected, and she stole his battle plan;
Then sent it to Sam Houston, for this she found a way
And so the Union Army fought and won the day.

Where the Rio Grande is flowing lived a woman brave and fine
A heroine of the people and honored in her time
The Yellow Rose of Texas has long been laid to rest
But history would be different without the lovely Emily West

EMIT

@emit The Yellow Rose of Texas was a woman fair to see%rThough many loved her beauty, she lived in slavery,%rWhen war was fought in Texas and the battles shook our lives%rGeneral Santa Anna took Emily as a prize.%r%rCho: She's the sweetest rose of color that Texas ever knew%rHer eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew,%rYou may talk about your Clementine, And sing of Rosa Lee%rBut the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.%r%rHe tried to win her favors, thought himself a dashing man%rBut his courtship she rejected, and she stole his battle plan;%rThen sent it to Sam Houston, for this she found a way%rAnd so the Union Army fought and won the day.%r%rWhere the Rio Grande is flowing lived a woman brave and fine%rA heroine of the people and honored in her time%rThe Yellow Rose of Texas has long been laid to rest%rBut history would be different without the lovely Emily West%R

Celtic (Irish/Scottish/English) Traditional Songs

Star of the County Down

Near Banbridge town in the County Down one morning last July
Down a Boreen green came a sweet coleen and she smiled as she passed me by
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet to the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself, for to see I was really there

Chorus:

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the brown coleen that I met in the County Down
As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head and I looked with a feeling rare
And I says, says I, to a passer-by: Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?
He smiled at me and he says, says he: That's the gem of Irelands crown
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann, she's the star of the County Down

(Chorus)

At the harvest fair she'll be surely there, so I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right, for a smile from my nut-brown rose
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke, til my plough is a rust-colored brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside, sits the star of the County Down

(Chorus)

EMIT

@emit Near Banbridge town in the County Down one morning last July%rDown a Boreen green came a sweet coleen and she smiled as she passed me by%rShe looked so sweet from her two bare feet to the sheen of her nut-brown hair%rSuch a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself, for to see I was really there%r%rChorus:%r%rFrom Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin town%rNo maid I've seen like the brown coleen that I met in the County Down%rAs she onward sped, sure I scratched my head and I looked with a feeling rare%rAnd I says, says I, to a passer-by: Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?%rHe smiled at me and he says, says he: That's the gem of Irelands crown%rYoung Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann, she's the star of the County Down%r%r(Chorus)%r%rAt the harvest fair she'll be surely there, so I'll dress in my Sunday clothes%rWith my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right, for a smile from my nut-brown rose%rNo pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke, til my plough is a rust-colored brown%rTill a smiling bride by my own fireside, sits the star of the County Down%r

Mari Mac

There's a nice wee lass and her name's Mary Mac
Make no mistake, she's the miss I'm going to take
There's a lot of other chaps that would get up on her track
But I'm thinking that they'd have to get up early.

Mary Mac's father's making Mary Mac marry me
My father's making me marry Mary Mac
And I'm going to marry Mary
To get married and take care of me
We'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mac

Now this wee lass she has a lot of brass
She has a lot of gas and her father thinks I'm class
So I'd be a silly ass to let the matter pass
Her father thinks she suits me fairly

Now Mary and her Mither gain an awful lot together
In fact you never see the one or the one without the other
And the fellows often wonder if it's Mary or her mither
Or the both of them together that I'm courtin'

Now the wedding day's on Wednesday and everything's arranged
Her name will soon be changed to mine unless her mind be changed
And we're making the arrangements and I'm just a bit deranged
For marriage is an awful undertakin'

It's sure to be a grand affair and grander than a fair
There's going to be a coach and pair for every couple there
We'll dine upon the finest fare I'm sure to get my share
If I don't we'll all be very much mistaken

EMIT

@emit There's a nice wee lass and her name's Mary Mac%rMake no mistake, she's the miss I'm going to take%rThere's a lot of other chaps that would get up on her track%rBut I'm thinking that they'd have to get up early.%r%rMary Mac's father's making Mary Mac marry me%rMy father's making me marry Mary Mac%rAnd I'm going to marry Mary%rTo get married and take care of me%rWe'll all be making merry when I marry Mary Mac%r%rNow this wee lass she has a lot of brass%rShe has a lot of gas and her father thinks I'm class%rSo I'd be a silly ass to let the matter pass%rHer father thinks she suits me fairly%r%rNow Mary and her Mither gain an awful lot together%rIn fact you never see the one or the one without the other%rAnd the fellows often wonder if it's Mary or her mither%rOr the both of them together that I'm courtin'%r%rNow the wedding day's on Wednesday and everything's arranged%rHer name will soon be changed to mine unless her mind be changed%rAnd we're making the arrangements and I'm just a bit deranged%rFor marriage is an awful undertakin'%r%rIt's sure to be a grand affair and grander than a fair%rThere's going to be a coach and pair for every couple there%rWe'll dine upon the finest fare I'm sure to get my share%rIf I don't we'll all be very much mistaken %r

Courtin' in the Kitchen

Come single belle and beau, come to me, pay attention
Don't ever fall in love, it's the Devil's own invention.
For once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitchin'
Miss Henrietta Bell, down in Captain Kelly's kitchen

chorus:
With my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Ah toora loora la, ri toora loora laddy.

Now next Sunday being the day that we were to have the flare-up
I dressed myself quite gay, an' I greased and oiled my hair up
The Captain had no wife, now he had gone out a-fishin'
And we kicked up high life, down below-stairs in the kitchen.

With her arm around my waist and she slyly hinting marriage
Through the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly's carriage!
She jumped up off my knee, well five feet or higher
And a twenty shilling note went to blazes in the fire

Chorus

Well I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial
On that they did indict me, and I was sent for trial.
She swore I robbed the house, twas poison she was spitting
And I got six months hard, for my courting in the kitchen.

Chorus

EMIT

@emit Come single belle and beau, come to me, pay attention%rDon't ever fall in love, it's the Devil's own invention.%rFor once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitchin'%rMiss Henrietta Bell, down in Captain Kelly's kitchen%r%rchorus:%rWith %bmy toora loora la, my toora loora laddy%rAh toora loora la, ri toora loora laddy.%r%rNow next Sunday being the day that we were to have the flare-up%rI dressed myself quite gay, an' I greased and oiled my hair up%rThe Captain had no wife, now he had gone out a-fishin'%rAnd we kicked up high life, down below-stairs in the kitchen.%r%rWith her arm around my waist and she slyly hinting marriage%rThrough the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly's carriage!%rShe jumped up off my knee, well five feet or higher%rAnd a twenty shilling note went to blazes in the fire%r%rChorus%r%rWell I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial%rOn that they did indict me, and I was sent for trial.%rShe swore I robbed the house, twas poison she was spitting%rAnd I got six months hard, for my courting in the kitchen.%r%rChorus%r

The Flower of Sweet Strabane

If I were King of Ireland
And had all things at my will
I'd roam for recreation
More comfort to find still
But the comfort I would seek the most
So that you may understand
Would be to win the heart of Martha
The Flower of Sweet Strabane

Her cheeks they are as rubies
Her hair a dove-soft brown
And o'er her milk white shoulders
It carelessly hangs down
She is the fairest creature
And the pride of all her clan
And my heart is captivated
By the flower of Sweet Strabane

But since I cannot gain her love
No joy there is for me
And I must seek to hide my tears
In the lands across the sea
Unless she cares to follow me
I swear by my right hand
McKenna's face you'll ne'er more see
My Flower of Sweet Strabane

EMIT

@emit If I were King of Ireland%rAnd had all things at my will%rI'd roam for recreation%rMore comfort to find still%rBut the comfort I would seek the most%rSo that you may understand%rWould be to win the heart of Martha%rThe Flower of Sweet Strabane%r%rHer cheeks they are as rubies%rHer hair a dove-soft brown%rAnd o'er her milk white shoulders%rIt carelessly hangs down%rShe is the fairest creature%rAnd the pride of all her clan%rAnd my heart is captivated%rBy the flower of Sweet Strabane%r%rBut since I cannot gain her love%rNo joy there is for me%rAnd I must seek to hide my tears%rIn the lands across the sea%rUnless she cares to follow me%rI swear by my right hand%rMcKenna's face you'll ne'er more see%rMy Flower of Sweet Strabane%r

If I Was a Blackbird

Female Perspective…

I am a young maiden, my story is sad
For once I was carefree and in love with a lad
He courted me sweetly by night and by day
But now he has left me and gone far away

Chorus:
Oh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest

He sailed o'er the ocean, his fortune to seek
I missed his caresses and his kiss on my cheek
He returned and I told him my love was still warm
He turned away lightly and great was his scorn

He offered to take me to Donnybrook Fair
To buy me fine ribbons, tie them up in my hair
He offered to marry and to stay by my side
But then in the morning he sailed with the tide

My parents they chide me, and will not agree
Saying that me and my true love married should never be
Ah but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
While there's breath in my body, he's the one that I love still

EMIT

@emit I am a young maiden, my story is sad%rFor once I was carefree and in love with a lad%rHe courted me sweetly by night and by day%rBut now he has left me and gone far away%r%rChorus:%rOh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing%rI'd follow the vessel my true love sails in%rAnd in the top rigging I would there build my nest%rAnd I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest%r%rHe sailed o'er the ocean, his fortune to seek%rI missed his caresses and his kiss on my cheek%rHe returned and I told him my love was still warm%rHe turned away lightly and great was his scorn%r%rHe offered to take me to Donnybrook Fair%rTo buy me fine ribbons, tie them up in my hair%rHe offered to marry and to stay by my side%rBut then in the morning he sailed with the tide%r%rMy parents they chide me, and will not agree%rSaying that me and my true love married should never be%rAh but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will%rWhile there's breath in my body, he's the one that I love still%r

Male Perspective…

I am a young sailor, my story is sad
For once I was carefree and a bold sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
But now she has left me and gone far away

Chorus:
Oh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily-white breast

Or if I was a scholar and could handle a pen
One secret love letter to my true love I'd send
And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
Since she's gone and left me in yon flowery glen

I sailed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek
Though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn

I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
But she said in the morning she sailed with the tide

My parents they chide me, and will not agree
Saying that me and my false love married should never be
Ah but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
While there's breath in my body, she's the one that I love still

EMIT

@emit I am a young sailor, my story is sad%rFor once I was carefree and a bold sailor lad%rI courted a lassie by night and by day%rBut now she has left me and gone far away%r%rChorus:%rOh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing%rI'd follow the vessel my true love sails in%rAnd in the top rigging I would there build my nest%rAnd I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily-white breast%r%rOr if I was a scholar and could handle a pen%rOne secret love letter to my true love I'd send%rAnd I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain%rSince she's gone and left me in yon flowery glen%r%rI sailed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek%rThough I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek%rI returned and I told her my love was still warm%rBut she turned away lightly and great was her scorn%r%rI offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair%rAnd to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair%rI offered to marry and to stay by her side%rBut she said in the morning she sailed with the tide%r%rMy parents they chide me, and will not agree%rSaying that me and my false love married should never be%rAh but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will%rWhile there's breath in my body, she's the one that I love still%r

My Boy Willie

It was early, early in the spring
my boy Willie went to serve the king
And all that vexed him and grieved his mind
was the leaving of his dear girl behind.

Oh father dear build me a boat
that on the ocean I might float
And hail the ships as they pass by
for to inquire of my sailor boy.

She had not sailed long in the deep
when a fine ship's crew she chanced to meet
And of the captain she inquired to
"Does my boy Willie sail on board with you?"

"What sort of a lad is your Willie fair?
What sort of clothes does your Willie wear?"
"He wears a coat of royal blue,
and you'll surely know him for his heart is true".

"If that's your Willie he is not here.
Your Willie's drowned as you did fear.
'Twas at yonder green island as we passed by,
it was there we lost a fine sailor boy".

Go dig my grave long wide and deep,
put a marble stone at my head and feet.
And in the middle, a turtle dove.
So the whole world knows that I died of love.

EMIT

@emit It was early, early in the spring%rmy boy Willie went to serve the king%rAnd all that vexed him and grieved his mind%rwas the leaving of his dear girl behind.%r%rOh father dear build me a boat%rthat on the ocean I might float%rAnd hail the ships as they pass by %rfor to inquire of my sailor boy.%r%rShe had not sailed long in the deep%rwhen a fine ship's crew she chanced to meet%rAnd of the captain she inquired to %r"Does my boy Willie sail on board with you?"%r%r"What sort of a lad is your Willie fair? %rWhat sort of clothes does your Willie wear?"%r"He wears a coat of royal blue, %rand you'll surely know him for his heart is true".%r%r"If that's your Willie he is not here. %rYour Willie's drowned as you did fear.%r'Twas at yonder green island as we passed by,%rit was there we lost a fine sailor boy".%r%rGo dig my grave long wide and deep, %rput a marble stone at my head and feet.%rAnd in the middle, a turtle dove. %rSo the whole world knows that I died of love.%r

Traditional Love Poetry

Thomas Campion (12 February 1567 – 1 March 1620)

The Garden

THERE is a garden in her face,
Where roses and white lilies grow;
A heavenly paradise is that place,
Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.
These cherries grow which none may buy,
Till "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.

Those cherries fairly do enclose
Of orient pearl a double row,
Which when her lovely laughter shows,
They look like rosebuds filled with snow.
Yet them nor peer nor prince can buy,
Till "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.

Her eyes like angels watch them still;
Her brows like bended bows do stand,
Threatening with piercing frowns to kill
All that attempt with eye or hand
Those sacred cherries to come nigh,
Till "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.

EMIT

@emit %b%b%b%b%b%bThere is a garden in her face,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bWhere roses and white lilies grow; %r %b%b%b%b%bA heavenly paradise is that place,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bWherein all pleasant fruits do flow. %r %b%b%b%b%bThese cherries grow which none may buy,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bTill "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bThose cherries fairly do enclose%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bOf orient pearl a double row, %r %b%b%b%b%bWhich when her lovely laughter shows,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bThey look like rosebuds filled with snow. %r %b%b%b%b%bYet them nor peer nor prince can buy,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bTill "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bHer eyes like angels watch them still;%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bHer brows like bended bows do stand, %r %b%b%b%b%bThreatening with piercing frowns to kill%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bAll that attempt with eye or hand %r %b%b%b%b%bThose sacred cherries to come nigh,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bTill "Cherry-ripe" themselves do cry.%r

Rose-Cheeked Laura

ROSE-cheeked Laura, come,
Sing thou smoothly with thy beauty's
Silent music, either other
Sweetly gracing.

Lovely forms do flow
From concert divinely framed;
Heav'n is music, and thy beauty's
Birth is heavenly.

These dull notes we sing
Discords need for helps to grace them;
Only beauty purely loving
Knows no discord,

But still moves delight,
Like clear springs renewed by flowing,
Ever perfect, ever in them-
Selves eternal.

EMIT

@emit Rose-cheeked Laura, come,%rSing thou smoothly with thy beauty's%rSilent music, either other%r %b%b%bSweetly gracing.%r%rLovely forms do flow%rFrom concert divinely framed;%rHeav'n is music, and thy beauty's%r %b%b%bBirth is heavenly.%r%rThese dull notes we sing%rDiscords need for helps to grace them;%rOnly beauty purely loving%r %b%b%bKnows no discord,%r%rBut still moves delight,%rLike clear springs renewed by flowing,%rEver perfect, ever in them-%r %b%b%bSelves eternal.%r

Corinna

WHEN to her lute Corinna sings,
Her voice revives the leaden strings,
And doth in highest notes appear
As any challenged echo clear.
But when she doth of mourning speak,
Even with her sighs the strings do break.

And as her lute doth live or die;
Led by her passion, so must I.
For when of pleasure she doth sing,
My thoughts enjoy a sudden spring;
But if she doth of sorrow speak,
Even from my heart the strings do break.

EMIT

@emit %bCorinna%r%r %b%b%b%b%bWHEN to her lute Corinna sings,%r %b%b%b%b%bHer voice revives the leaden strings,%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd doth in highest notes appear%r %b%b%b%b%bAs any challenged echo clear.%r %b%b%b%b%bBut when she doth of mourning speak,%r %b%b%b%b%bEven with her sighs the strings do break.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd as her lute doth live or die;%r %b%b%b%b%bLed by her passion, so must I.%r %b%b%b%b%bFor when of pleasure she doth sing,%r %b%b%b%b%bMy thoughts enjoy a sudden spring;%r %b%b%b%b%bBut if she doth of sorrow speak,%r %b%b%b%b%bEven from my heart the strings do break.%r

Robert Browning (7 May 1812 – 12 December 1889)

Summum Bonum

ALL the breath and the bloom of the year in the bag of one bee:
All the wonder and wealth of the mine in the heart of one gem:
In the core of one pearl all the shade and the shine of the sea:
Breath and bloom, shade and shine, wonder, wealth, and how far above them
Truth that's brighter than gem,
Trust, that's purer than pearl,
Brightest truth, purest trust in the universe all were for me
In the kiss of one girl.

EMIT

@emit %b%b%b%b%bALL the breath and the bloom of the year in the bag of one bee:%r %b%b%b%b%bAll the wonder and wealth of the mine in the heart of one gem:%r %b%b%b%b%bIn the core of one pearl all the shade and the shine of the sea:%r %b%b%b%b%bBreath and bloom, shade and shine, --wonder, wealth, and--how far above them--%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bTruth that's brighter than gem,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bTrust, that's purer than pearl,--%r %b%b%b%b%bBrightest truth, purest trust in the universe--all were for me%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bIn the kiss of one girl.%r

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (March 6, 1806 – June 29, 1861)

Sonnet IX

Can it be right to give what I can give?
To let thee sit beneath the fall of tears
As salt as mine, and hear the sighing years
Re-sighing on my lips renunciative
Through those infrequent smiles which fail to live
For all thy adjurations? O my fears,
That this can scarce be right! We are not peers,
So to be lovers; and I own, and grieve,
That givers of such gifts as mine are, must
Be counted with the ungenerous. Out, alas!
I will not soil thy purple with my dust,
Nor breathe my poison on thy Venice-glass,
Nor give thee any love which were unjust.
Beloved, I only love thee! let it pass.

EMIT

@emit IX%r%r %b%b%b%b%bCan it be right to give what I can give?%r %b%b%b%b%bTo let thee sit beneath the fall of tears%r %b%b%b%b%bAs salt as mine, and hear the sighing years%r %b%b%b%b%bRe-sighing on my lips renunciative%r %b%b%b%b%bThrough those infrequent smiles which fail to live%r %b%b%b%b%bFor all thy adjurations? O my fears,%r %b%b%b%b%bThat this can scarce be right! We are not peers,%r %b%b%b%b%bSo to be lovers; and I own, and grieve,%r %b%b%b%b%bThat givers of such gifts as mine are, must%r %b%b%b%b%bBe counted with the ungenerous. Out, alas!%r %b%b%b%b%bI will not soil thy purple with my dust,%r %b%b%b%b%bNor breathe my poison on thy Venice-glass,%r %b%b%b%b%bNor give thee any love--which were unjust.%r %b%b%b%b%bBeloved, I only love thee! let it pass.%r

Sonnet XI

And therefore if to love can be desert,
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
To bear the burden of a heavy heart,
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
To climb Aornus, and can scarce avail
To pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
A melancholy music, why advert
To these things? O Belovèd, it is plain
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place!
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
From that same love this vindicating grace,
To live on still in love, and yet in vain,
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.

EMIT

@emit %b%b%b%b%b%bAnd therefore if to love can be desert,%r %b%b%b%b%bI am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale%r %b%b%b%b%bAs these you see, and trembling knees that fail%r %b%b%b%b%bTo bear the burden of a heavy heart,--%r %b%b%b%b%bThis weary minstrel-life that once was girt%r %b%b%b%b%bTo climb Aornus, and can scarce avail%r %b%b%b%b%bTo pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale%r %b%b%b%b%bA melancholy music,--why advert%r %b%b%b%b%bTo these things? O Belovèd, it is plain%r %b%b%b%b%bI am not of thy worth nor for thy place!%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd yet, because I love thee, I obtain%r %b%b%b%b%bFrom that same love this vindicating grace,%r %b%b%b%b%bTo live on still in love, and yet in vain,--%r %b%b%b%b%bTo bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.%r

Sonnet XIV

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
I love her for her smile, her look, her way
Of speaking gently, for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of ease on such a day
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may
Be changed, or change for thee, and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheek dry,
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity.

EMIT

@emit If thou must love me, let it be for nought%r %b%b%b%b%bExcept for love's sake only. Do not say%r %b%b%b%b%bI love her for her smile--her look--her way%r %b%b%b%b%bOf speaking gently,--for a trick of thought%r %b%b%b%b%bThat falls in well with mine, and certes brought%r %b%b%b%b%bA sense of ease on such a day--%r %b%b%b%b%bFor these things in themselves, Belovèd, may%r %b%b%b%b%bBe changed, or change for thee,--and love, so wrought,%r %b%b%b%b%bMay be unwrought so. Neither love me for%r %b%b%b%b%bThine own dear pity's wiping my cheek dry,--%r %b%b%b%b%bA creature might forget to weep, who bore%r %b%b%b%b%bThy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!%r %b%b%b%b%bBut love me for love's sake, that evermore%r %b%b%b%b%bThou may'st love on, through love's eternity. %r

Lord Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824)

She Walks in Beauty

SHE walks in beauty like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to the tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One ray the more, one shade the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

EMIT

@emit She walks in beauty like the night%r %b%b%b%b%bOf cloudless climes and starry skies,%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd all that's best of dark and bright%r %b%b%b%b%bMeet in her aspect and her eyes;%r %b%b%b%b%bThus mellowed to the tender light%r %b%b%b%b%bWhich heaven to gaudy day denies.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bOne ray the more, one shade the less%r %b%b%b%b%bHad half impaired the nameless grace%r %b%b%b%b%bWhich waves in every raven tress%r %b%b%b%b%bOr softly lightens o'er her face,%r %b%b%b%b%bWhere thoughts serenely sweet express%r %b%b%b%b%bHow pure, how dear their dwelling place.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd on that cheek and o'er that brow%r %b%b%b%b%bSo soft, so calm yet eloquent,%r %b%b%b%b%bThe smiles that win, the tints that glow%r %b%b%b%b%bBut tell of days in goodness spent%r %b%b%b%b%bA mind at peace with all below,%r %b%b%b%b%bA heart whose love is innocent. %r

So We'll Go No More a-Roving

SO we'll go no more a-roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart still be as loving,
And the moon still be as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul outwears the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon.

EMIT

@emit %b%b%b%b%b%bSO we'll go no more a-roving%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bSo late into the night,%r %b%b%b%b%bThough the heart still be as loving,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bAnd the moon still be as bright.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bFor the sword outwears its sheath,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bAnd the soul outwears the breast,%r %b%b%b%b%bAnd the heart must pause to breathe,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bAnd love itself have rest.%r%r %b%b%b%b%bThough the night was made for loving,%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bAnd the day returns too soon,%r %b%b%b%b%bYet we'll go no more a-roving%r %b%b%b%b%b%b%b%bBy the light of the moon. %r

Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612 – September 16, 1672)

To My Dear and Loving Husband

IF ever two were one then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife were happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor aught but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so perservere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

EMIT

@emit IF ever two were one then surely we.%r %b%b%b%b%bIf ever man were loved by wife, then thee;%r %b%b%b%b%bIf ever wife were happy in a man,%r %b%b%b%b%bCompare with me, ye women, if you can.%r %b%b%b%b%bI prize thy love more than whole mines of gold%r %b%b%b%b%bOr all the riches that the East doth hold.%r %b%b%b%b%bMy love is such that rivers cannot quench,%r %b%b%b%b%bNor aught but love from thee give recompense.%r %b%b%b%b%bThy love is such I can no way repay,%r %b%b%b%b%bThe heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.%r %b%b%b%b%bThen while we live, in love let's so perservere%r %b%b%b%b%bThat when we live no more, we may live ever.

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