James R. Tinus, "A Wise and Foolish Maid" (1905)
And both were young and both were fair;
The rose vines , by the breezes shook,
Wafted a fragrance round them there.
They came each day to their secret bower,
And lived their lives like a summer flower.
Once, while talking of this and that,
In the deep shade of Nature's screen,
Two gorgeous birds flew in and sat
By the edge of this winding stream;
One maiden, clasping her hands in glee,
Cried: "One for you, deary, and one for me."
So running to the water's brink,
Each reached out for the prize so fair;
But alas! as quick as a wink
Away flew the birds through the air.
"I'll have you," cried one, "sail high or low;"
The other said: "I don't want you; go."
So through the fields of ripening grain
Followed one maid; the bird a-wing,
Into the wood and out again,
Then far down where the marsh-reeds sing;
And as the bird circled its nest that night ,
It fell at the maiden's feet; dead from fright.
The bird to which the maid cried "go."
Not afraid of her gentle voice,
Piped a lay from the bush below,
And plucked her bits of plumage choice;
And then when it knew she would do no harm,
It flew to her bosom so fair and warm.
And so has love for all time been;
Be bold, and frighten him away;
If mild, you make a slave of him;
So maidens, list to what I say:
Don't chase after love, as the foolish do;
Be gentle and kind, and he'll come to you.
Published in Colored American Magazine, July 1905