Å Modernized Version

When were you born, Desire? In the full bloom of early May.

By who, sweet boy, were you conceived? By Good Ideas, men say.

Tell me, who was your nurse? Fresh Youth, in sugared joy.

What was your meat and dainty food? Sore sighs, with great annoy.

What had you then to drink? Genuine lovers’ tears.

What cradle were you rocked in? In hope devoid of fears.

What brought you then asleep? Soft words, which likes men best.

And where is now your home? In gentle hearts I rest.

Does company displease? It does, in many a one.

Where would Desire then choose to be? He likes to think alone.

What fees most your sight? To gaze on kindness still.

Who find you most to be foe? Disdain of my good will.

Will ever age or death bring you into decay?

No, no! Desire both lives and dies ten thousand times a day.

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email: 061615g@acadiau.ca

Last Updated April 10, 2005   

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