W.S. Gilbert




Marco’s Song

Take a pair of sparkling eyes, 
      Hidden, ever and anon,
             In a merciful eclipse –
      Do not heed their mild surprise
Having passed the Rubicon,
             Take a pair of rosy lips; 
Take a figure trimly planned –
      Such as admiration whets – 
             (Be particular in this);
Take a tender little hand,
       Fringed with dainty fingerettes,
             Press it – in parenthesis; – 
Ah! Take all these, you lucky man – 
Take and keep them, if you can!

Take a pretty little cot –
       Quite a miniature affair – 
             Hung about with trellised vine,
Furnish it upon the spot
       With the treasures rich and rare
I’ve endeavoured to define. 
Live to love and love to live –
       You will ripen at your ease, 
             Growing on the sunny side –
Fate has nothing more to give. 
       You’re a dainty man to please
             If you are not satisfied. 
Ah! Take my counsel, happy man; 
Act upon it, if you can!