Lay Thine Arms Aside, Young Maid

Lay thine arms aside, Young maid,
If thou wouldst not slay us all;
If aside they be not laid
To the Court for aid I call.

Wilt thou put away thine arms?
Then thy curling hair conceal,
Nor to mortal man the charms
Of thy shoulder's snow reveal.

Dost thou think, O Maid demure,
These need take no lover's life?
Glances from thine eyes be sure
Pierce more deep than pointed knife.

True, thy ankles are but slight,
Softly too thy white hands yield,
But there never yet was Knight
Half so armed with spear and shield!

Hide from me thy cheek of rose,
Be thy lily neck unseen,
Nor, for heaven's sake, disclose
One curve of thy bosom's sheen.

Hide me in thine eye's eclipse,
Or my death's decreed, Fair girl;
For thy soul's sake, close thy lips
O'er those twinkling teeth of pearl.

If thou wilt not have us die,
But with slaves art satisfied,
Then, All-conquering girl! we cry
These, thy arms now lay aside.