Teasing

It's true, my dear, I am now courting,

and I will establish you as my wife;

you will be mine, my dear, truly mine,

and even if you don't also want it.

"Then I'll become a dove with a white form -

I will fly from you, fly into the wood,

and so I may not be yours, may not be yours:

that hour will never come."

I have a flintlock that can fire quickly -

I'll shoot the dove down in the wood;

You will be mine, my dear, truly mine,

and even if you don't also want it.

"Then I'll become a little fish, a golden fish -

I'll spring into the fresh water;

and so I may not be yours, may not be yours:

that hour will never come."

I have however a net that fishes very well;

I will catch me this golden fish in the water.

You will be mine, my dear, truly mine,

and even if you don't also want it.

"Then I'll become a hare, full of swiftness -

and run in the fields, the broad fields.

and so I may not be yours, may not be yours:

that hour will never come."

I have however a hound that's smart and fine;

he'll catch me that hare in the fields.

You will be mine, my dear, truly mine,

and even if you don't also want it.