Who'll Buy My Love-Knots? (Portuguese Air.)

By Thomas Moore

Hymen, late, his love-knots selling, Called at many a maiden's dwelling: None could doubt, who saw or knew them, Hymen's call was welcome to them. "Who'll buy my love-knots? "Who'll buy my love-knots?" Soon as that sweet cry resounded How his baskets were surrounded! Maids, who now first dreamt of trying These gay knots of Hymen's tying; Dames, who long had sat to watch him Passing by, but ne'er could catch him;-- "Who'll buy my love-knots? "Who'll buy my love-knots?"-- All at that sweet cry assembled; Some laughed, some blushed, and some trembled. "Here are knots," said Hymen, taking Some loose flowers, "of Love's own making; "Here are gold ones--you may trust 'em"-- (These, of course, found ready custom). "Come, buy my love-knots! "Come, buy my love-knots! "Some are labelled 'Knots to tie men-- "Love the maker--Bought of Hymen.'" Scarce their bargains were completed, When the nymphs all cried, "We're cheated! "See these flowers--they're drooping sadly; "This gold-knot, too, ties but badly-- "Who'd buy such love-knots? "Who'd buy such love-knots? "Even this tie, with Love's name round it-- "All a sham--He never bound it." Love, who saw the whole proceeding, Would have laughed, but for good breeding; While Old Hymen, who was used to Cries like that these dames gave loose to-- "Take back our love-knots! "Take back our love-knots!" Coolly said, "There's no returning "Wares on Hymen's hands--Good morning!"