Name the leaves on all the trees,
Name the waves on all the seas,
Name the notes of all the groves,
Thus thou namest all my loves.
I do love the young, the old,
Maiden modest, virgin bold;
Tiny beauties and the tall--
Earth has room enough for all!
Which is better--who can say?--
Mary grave or Lucy gay?
She who half her charms conceals,
She who flashes while she feels?
Why should I my love confine?
Why should fair be mine or thine?
If I praise a tulip, why
Should I pass the primrose by?
Paris was a pedant fool
Meting beauty by the rule:
Pallas? Juno? Venus?--he
Should have chosen all the three!
--_John Stuart Blackie_