If I speak to thee in friendship's name,

  Thou think'st I speak too coldly;

If I mention Love's devoted flame,

  Thou say'st I speak too boldly.

Between these two unequal fires,

  Why doom me thus to hover?

I'm a friend, if such thy heart requires,

  If more thou seek'st, a lover.

Which shall it be? How shall I woo?

  Fair one, choose between the two.

Tho' the wings of Love will brightly play,

  When first he comes to woo thee,

There's a chance that he may fly away,

  As fast as he flies to thee.

While Friendship, tho' on foot she come,

  No flights of fancy trying,

Will, therefore, oft be found at home,

  When Love abroad is flying.

Which shall it be? How shall I woo?

  Dear one, choose between the two.

If neither feeling suits thy heart

  Let's see, to please thee, whether

We may not learn some precious art

  To mix their charms together;

One feeling, still more sweet, to form

  From two so sweet already—

A friendship that like love is warm,

  A love like friendship steady.

Thus let it be, thus let me woo,

  Dearest, thus we'll join the two.