" Lo, I am black but I am comely too, "
Black as the night, black as the deep dark caves.
I am the scion of a race of slaves
Who helped to build a nation strong that you
And I may stand within the world's full view,
Fearless and firm as dreadnoughts on rough waves;
Holding a banner high whose floating braves
The opposition of the tried untrue.

Casting an eye of love upon my face,
Seeing a newer light within my eyes,
A rarer beauty in your brother race
Will merge upon your visioning fullwise.

VERSE 1 HE :

Many girls I've met,
A few were sightly.
I thought them all wet
And bowed politely.
Something's changing me,
Rearranging me.
All I do is dream about you nightly.

REFRAIN

I'm on air,
My head's reeling,
And right there
A strange feeling
From nowhere
Has come stealing,
Maybe, maybe this is love!
My time's through
To think coolly,
My heart, too,
Is unruly.
It's all new
To yours truly,
Maybe this is love.

Platonick Love

I.

So Angels Love and all the rest is dross,
Contracted, selfish, sensitive and gross.
Unlike to this, all free and unconfin'd,
Is that bright flame I bear thy brighter mind.

II.

No stragling wish, or symptom of desire,
Comes near the Limits of this holy fire;
Yet 'tis intense and active, tho so fine;
For all my pure immortal part is thine.

III.

Why should I then the Heav'nly spark controul,
Since there's no brighter Ray in all my Soul,

Little Robin red breast,
I hear you sing your song.
I would love to have you put it into my little cage,
Into my little mouth.

VERSE

This is the one moment
That I thought I never could live through.
But now somehow that it's here, my dear,
That foolish fear disappears.
And saying good-bye seems sweet.
It's plain that fate didn't want us on a one way street.

REFRAIN

Don't worry 'bout me,
I'll get along.
Forget about me,
Be happy, my love.
Let's say that our little show
Is over, and so
The story ends.
Why not call it a day

Lutel wot it any mon
How derne love may stonde,
Bote it were a fre wimmon
That much of love had fonde.
The love of hire ne lesteth nowiht longe;
Heo haveth me plight and witeth me with wronge.
Ever and o for my leof ich am in grete thoghte;
I thenche on hire that I ne seo nout ofte.

I wolde nemne hire today
And I dorste hire munne;
Heo is that feireste may
Of uch ende of hire kunne;
Bote heo me love, of me heo haves sunne.
Wo is him that loveth the love that he ne may ner winne!

VERSE

What's the use,
There is no excuse
To be hiding what's on my mind.
Lovin' you is a secret I can't conceal.
Since we met
I've been all upset,
But I've really made up my mind
To confess just exactly the way I feel.

REFRAIN 1

Maybe I can't live to love you
As long as I want to,
Life isn't long enough, baby,
But I can love you as long as I live.
Maybe I can't give you diamonds and things
Like I want to,

Like as the hart that lifteth up his ears,
To hear the hound that hath him in the chase,
Doth cast the wind in dangers and in fears,
With flying foot to pass away a pace,
So must I fly of love the vain pursuit
Whereof the gain is lesser than the fruit.

And I also must loath those leering looks,
Where love doth lurk still with a subtle sleight,
With painted mocks, and inward hidden hooks,
To trap bytrust that lieth not in wait.
The end whereof, assay it whoso shall,
Is sugared smart, and inward bitter gall.

An Allegoric Romance

Like a lone Arab, old and blind,
Some caravan had left behind,
Who sits beside a ruin'd well,
Where the shy sand-asps bask and swell;
And now he hangs his aged head aslant,
And listens for a human sound — in vain!
And now the aid, which Heaven alone can grant,
Upturns his eyeless face from Heaven to gain; —
Even thus, in vacant mood, one sultry hour,
Resting my eye upon a drooping plant,

VERSE

When the only sound in the empty street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop,
I open shop.
When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
That her smile becomes a smirk,
I go to work.

REFRAIN

Love for sale,
Appetizing young love for sale.
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled,
Love that's only slightly soiled,
Love for sale.
Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?