My girl tricked me —
But she's so nice why should I mind?
Mother! Could'st thou a nicer find
To be the wife of this thy son?
Nay, there was never such a one.
But ah, she's such a little tease,
My love, who's like red cranberries!

The beauty of her eyebrows! Fain
Am I to tell you once again
How like the clouds they seem to be.
They make strange weakness steal o'er me;
Her glances burn me — O the gold
And red of sunset skies unrolled!

Her scarlet lips of such allure!
The torment I each day endure!)
Like plums all downy to the touch,
Ah, 'tis her lips I love so much!
And yet — her cheeks have havoc wrought —
Has she a witch's philtre sought?

Don't fool me, little sweetheart, pray.
As minnows in the water play
So would you slip and slide and turn
The while my heart must glow and burn.
My heart has reached its utmost bounds,
Yet still that fire gnaws, surrounds.

Then, if you love me, plague me not.
You will not lose. See what you've got.
But, if you love me not, my own,
Charm me until I too am stone.
You'll lose if you don't love, I swear,
But — charm me — maybe I won't care!