The Inexperienced Shepherdess (A Popular Song)

I’m fourteen summers old, I trow,
’Tis time to look about me now:
’Twas only yesterday they said,
I was a silly, silly maid;--
’Tis time to look about me now.

The shepherd-swains so rudely stare,
I must reprove them, I declare;
This talks of beauty--that of love--
I’m such a fool I can’t reprove--
I must reprove them, I declare.

’Tis strange--but yet I hope no sin;
Something unwonted speaks within:
Love’s language is a mystery,
And yet I feel, and yet I see,--
O what is this that speaks within?

The shepherd cries, “I love thee, sweet;”
“And I love thee,” my lips repeat:
Kind words, they sound as sweet to me
As music’s fairest melody;
“I love thee,” oft my lips repeat.

His pledge he brings,--I’ll not reprove;
O no! I’ll take that pledge of love;
To thee my guardian dog I’d give,
Could I without that guardian live:
But still I’ll take thy pledge of love.

My shepherd’s crook I’ll give to thee;--
O no! my father gave it me--
And treasures by a parent given,
From a fond child should ne’er be riven--
O no! my father gave it me.

But thou shalt have yon lambkin fair--
Nay! ’tis my mother’s fondest care;
For every day she joys to count
Each snowy lambkin on the mount;--
I’ll give thee then no lambkin fair.

But stay, my shepherd! wilt thou be
For ever faithful--fond to me?
A sweeter gift I’ll then impart,
And thou shalt have--a maiden’s heart,
If thou wilt give thy heart to me.