Hymen, late, his love-knots selling,

Called at many a maiden's dwelling:

None could doubt, who saw or knew them,

Hymen's call was welcome to them.

  "Who'll buy my love-knots?

  "Who'll buy my love-knots?"

Soon as that sweet cry resounded

How his baskets were surrounded!

Maids, who now first dreamt of trying

These gay knots of Hymen's tying;

Dames, who long had sat to watch him

Passing by, but ne'er could catch him;—

  "Who'll buy my love-knots?

  "Who'll buy my love-knots?"—

All at that sweet cry assembled;

Some laughed, some blushed, and some trembled.

"Here are knots," said Hymen, taking

Some loose flowers, "of Love's own making;

"Here are gold ones—you may trust 'em"—

(These, of course, found ready custom).

  "Come, buy my love-knots!

  "Come, buy my love-knots!

"Some are labelled 'Knots to tie men—

"Love the maker—Bought of Hymen.'"

Scarce their bargains were completed,

When the nymphs all cried, "We're cheated!

"See these flowers—they're drooping sadly;

"This gold-knot, too, ties but badly—

  "Who'd buy such love-knots?

  "Who'd buy such love-knots?

"Even this tie, with Love's name round it—

"All a sham—He never bound it."

Love, who saw the whole proceeding,

Would have laughed, but for good breeding;

While Old Hymen, who was used to

Cries like that these dames gave loose to—

  "Take back our love-knots!

  "Take back our love-knots!"

Coolly said, "There's no returning

"Wares on Hymen's hands—Good morning!"