long gowns
And wasps--would I be such a fool!--Oh, here!
This is my way: I answer everyone
Who asks me why I make so much of him--
(If you say, "you love him"--straight "he'll not be gulled!") 45
"He that seduced me when I was a girl
Thus high--had eyes like yours, or hair like yours,
Brown, red, white"--as the case may be; that pleases!
See how that beetle burnishes in the path!
There sparkles he along the dust; and, there-- 50
Your journey to that maize-tuft spoiled at least!

_1st Girl._ When I was young, they said if you killed one
Of those sunshiny beetles, that his friend
Up there would shine no more that day nor next.

_2nd Girl._ When you were young? Nor are you young, that's true. 55
How your plump arms, that were, have dropped away!
Why, I can span them. Cecco beats you still?
No matter, so you keep your curious hair.
I wish they'd find a way to dye our hair
Your color--any lighter tint, indeed, 60
Than black--the men say they are sick of black,
Black eyes, black hair!

_4th Girl._ Sick of yours, like enough.
Do you pretend you ever tasted lampreys
And ortolans? Giovita, of the palace,
Engaged (but there 's no trusting him) to slice me 65
Polenta with a knife that had cut up
An ortolan.

_2nd Girl._ Why, there! Is not that Pippa
We are to talk to, under the window--quick!--
Where the lights are?

_1st Girl._ That she? No, or she would sing,
For the Intendant said--

_3rd Girl._ Oh, you sing first! 70
Then, if she listens and comes close--I'll tell you--
Sing that song the young English noble made,
Who took you for the purest of the pure,
And meant to leave the world for you--what fun!

_2nd Girl_ [_sings_].

_You'll love me yet!--and I can tarry_ 75
_Your love's protracted growing:_
_June reared that bunch of flowers you carry,_
_From seeds of April's sowing._

_I plant a heartful now: some seed_
_At least is sure to strike_ 80
_And yield--what you'll not pluck indeed,_
_Not love, but, may be, like._

_You'll look at least on love's remains,_
_A grave's one violet:_
_Your look?--that pays a thousand pains._