Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | III. Love’s Beginnings | | The Whistle | | Robert Story (1795–1860) |
| | | “YOU have heard,” said a youth to his sweetheart, who stood, | |
| While he sat on a corn-sheaf, at daylight’s decline,— | |
| “You have heard of the Danish boy’s whistle of wood? | |
| I wish that that Danish boy’s whistle were mine.” | |
| “And what would you do with it?—tell me,” she said, | 5 |
| While an arch smile played over her beautiful face. | |
| “I would blow it,” he answered; “and then my fair maid | |
| Would fly to my side, and would here take her place.” | |
| |
| “Is that all you wish it for? That may be yours | |
| Without any magic,” the fair maiden cried: | 10 |
| “A favor so slight one’s good nature secures;” | |
| And she playfully seated herself by his side. | |
| “I would blow it again,” said the youth, “and the charm | |
| Would work so, that not even Modesty’s check | |
| Would be able to keep from my neck your fine arm:” | 15 |
| She smiled,—and she laid her fine arm round his neck. | |
| |
| “Yet once more would I blow, and the music divine | |
| Would bring me the third time an exquisite bliss: | |
| You would lay your fair cheek to this brown one of mine, | |
| And your lips, stealing past it, would give me a kiss.” | 20 |
| The maiden laughed out in her innocent glee,— | |
| “What a fool of yourself with your whistle you ’d make! | |
| For only consider, how silly ’t would be | |
| To sit there and whistle for—what you might take!” | | | | |
|
|
