William Schwenck Gilbert

He and She

[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 fan 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!
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