Who'll buy my love knots?

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!

"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?

"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!"