The Poetry Corner

He And She.

By William Schwenck Gilbert

HE. I know a youth who loves a little maid (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid (Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!) SHE. I know a maid who loves a gallant youth, (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) She cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!) BOTH. Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the poor soul do? HE. He cannot eat and he cannot sleep (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Daily he goes for to wail for to weep (Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!) SHE. She's very thin and she's very pale (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) Daily she goes for to weep for to wail (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!) BOTH. Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the poor soul do? SHE. If I were the youth I should offer her my name (Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!) HE. If I were the maid I should feed his honest flame (Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!) SHE. If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) HE. If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way (For I really do believe that timid youth will die'!) BOTH. I thank you much for your counsel true; I've learnt what that poor soul ought to do!