William Schwenck Gilbert

Here you will find thePoemA Recipeof poet William Schwenck Gilbert

A Recipe

Take a pair of sparkling eyes, Hidden, ever and anon, In a merciful eclipse - Do not heed their mild surprise - Having passed the Rubicon. Take a pair of rosy lips; Take a figure trimly planned - Such as admiration whets (Be particular in this); Take a tender little hand, Fringed with dainty fingerettes, Press it - in parenthesis; - Take all these, you lucky man - Take and keep them, if you can. Take a pretty little cot - Quite a miniature affair - Hung about with trellised vine, Furnish it upon the spot With the treasures rich and rare I've endeavoured to define. Live to love and love to live - You will ripen at your ease, Growing on the sunny side - Fate has nothing more to give. You're a dainty man to please If you are not satisfied. Take my counsel, happy man: Act upon it, if you can!