BALLAD - ROSE.
If somebody there chanced to be Who loved me in a manner true,
My heart would point him out to me, And I would point him out to you.
But here it says of those who point, Their manners must be out of joint –You may not point –
You must not point –
It's manners out of joint,
to point!
Ah!
Had I the love of such as he,
Some quiet spot he'd take me to,
Then he could whisper it to me,
And I could whisper it to you.
But whispering, I've somewhere met, Is contrary to etiquette:
Where can it be
(SEARCHING BOOK.)
Now let me see –
(FINDING REFERENCE.)
Yes, yes!
It's contrary to etiquette!
(SHOWING IT TO DAME HANNAH.)
If any well-bred youth I knew,
Polite and gentle, neat and trim,
Then I would hint as much to you,
And you could hint as much to him.
But here it says, in plainest print,
"It's most unladylike to hint" –
You may not hint,
You must not hint –
It says you mustn't hint,
in print!
Ah!
And if I loved him through and through –
(True love and not a passing whim),
Then I could speak of it to you,
And you could speak of it to him.
But here I find it doesn't do
To speak until you're spoken to.
Where can it be?
(SEARCHING BOOK.)
Now let me see –
(FINDING REFERENCE.)
Yes, yes!
"Don't speak until you're spoken to!"
EXIT DAME HANNAH.
