(The Maiden) What is love?
Is it a folly.
Is it mirth, or melancholy?
Joys above,
Are there many, or not any?
What is love?
(Pierrot) If you please,
A most sweet folly!
Full of mirth and melancholy—
Both of these!
In its sadness worth all gladness,
If you please.
(The Maiden) Prithee where
Goes love a-hiding?
Is he long in his abiding
Anywhere?
Can you bind him when you find him;
Prithee, where?
(Pierrot) With spring days
Love comes and dallies;
Upon the mountains, through the valleys,
Lie love's ways;
Then he leaves you, and deceives you
In spring days.
—Ernest Dowson