No And Yes

by Theodore Tilton

I.

I watched her at her spinning,
And this was my beginning
Of wooing and of winning.

II.

So cruel, so uncaring,
So scornful was her bearing,
She set me half despairing.

III.

Yet sorry wit one uses,
Who loves, and thinks he loses
Because a maid refuses.

IV.

Love prospers in the making
By help of all its aching,
And quaking, and heart-breaking.

V.

A woman's first denying
Betokens her complying
Upon a second trying.

VI.

When first I said in pleading,
Behold, my love lies bleeding! --
She shook her head unheeding.

VII .

But when again I told her,
And blamed her growing colder,
She dropped against my shoulder.

VIII.

Then, with her eyes of splendor,
She gave a look so tender,
I knew she would surrender!

IX.

So down the lane I led her,
And while her cheek grew redder,
I sued outright to wed her.

X.

Good end from bad beginning!
My wooing came to winning!
And still I watch her spinning!