He and She

[HE.] I know a youth who loves a little maid –
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Silent is he, for he’s modest and afraid –
(Hey, but he’s timid as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] I know a maid who loves a gallant youth –
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
SHE cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth –
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

[HE.] He cannot eat and he cannot sleep –
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Daily he goes for to wail – for to weep –
(Hey, but he’s wretched as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] She’s very thin and she’s very pale –
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
Daily she goes for to weep – for to wail –
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

[SHE.] If I were the youth I should offer her my name –
(Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should fan his honest flame –
(Hey, but he’s bashful as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day –
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way –
(For I really do believe that timid youth will die!)
[BOTH.] I thank you much for your counsel true;
I’ve learnt what that poor soul ought to do!