Timing Her

Lalage's coming:     Where is she now, O?     Turning to bow, O,     And smile, is she,     Just at parting,     Parting, parting,     As she is starting     To come to me?     Where is she now, O,     Now, and now, O,     Shadowing a bough, O,     Of hedge or tree     As she is rushing,     Rushing, rushing,     Gossamers brushing     To come to me?     Lalage's coming;     Where is she now, O;     Climbing the brow, O,     Of hills I see?     Yes, she is nearing,     Nearing, nearing,     Weather unfearing     To come to me.     Near is she now, O,     Now, and now, O;     Milk the rich cow, O,     Forward the tea;     Shake the down bed for her,     Linen sheets spread for her,     Drape round the head for her     Coming to me.     Lalage's coming,     She's nearer now, O,     End anyhow, O,     To-day's husbandry!     Would a gilt chair were mine,     Slippers of vair were mine,     Brushes for hair were mine     Of ivory!     What will she think, O,     She who's so comely,     Viewing how homely     A sort are we!     Nothing resplendent,     No prompt attendant,     Not one dependent     Pertaining to me!     Lalage's coming;     Where is she now, O?     Fain I'd avow, O,     Full honestly     Nought here's enough for her,     All is too rough for her,     Even my love for her     Poor in degree.     She's nearer now, O,     Still nearer now, O,     She 'tis, I vow, O,     Passing the lea.     Rush down to meet her there,     Call out and greet her there,     Never a sweeter there     Crossed to me!     Lalage's come; aye,     Come is she now, O! . . .     Does Heaven allow, O,     A meeting to be?     Yes, she is here now,     Here now, here now,     Nothing to fear now,     Here's Lalage!