| |
| FAINT heart wins not lady fair: | |
| Victory smiles on those who dare, | |
| There is but one way to woo— | |
| Think thy Mistress willing too! | |
| Leave her never chance to choose, | 5 |
| Hold her powerless to refuse. | |
| |
| If she answer thee with No, | |
| Wilt thou bow and let her go?— | |
| When, most like, her ‘No’ is meant | |
| But to make more sweet consent; | 10 |
| So thy suit may longer be | |
| For so much she liketh thee. | |
| |
| Never heed her pretty airs! | |
| He ’s no lover who despairs; | |
| He ’s no warrior whom a frown | 15 |
| Drives from his beleaguer’d town; | |
| And no hunter he who stops | |
| Till his stricken quarry drops. | |
| |
| Aim as certain not to miss; | |
| Take her as thou would’st a kiss! | 20 |
| Or ask once, and if in vain, | |
| Ask her twice, and thrice again: | |
| Sure of this when all is said,— | |
| They lose most who are afraid. | |
| |
