Who'll Buy My Love-Knots? (Portuguese Air.)

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!         "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?         "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!"