Ballads

To Mary

I seem, in the midst of the crowd,

The lightest of all;

My laughter rings cheery and loud,

In banquet and ball.

My lip hath its smiles and its sneers,

For all men to see;

But my soul, and my truth, and my tears,

Are for thee, are for thee!

Around me they flatter and fawn--

The young and the old.

The fairest are ready to pawn

Their hearts for my gold.

They sue me--I laugh as I spurn

The slaves at my knee;

But in faith and in fondness I turn

Unto thee, unto thee!