How shall I woo thee to win thee, mine own? <br />Say in what tongue shall I tell of my love. <br />I who was fearless so timid have grown, <br />All that was eagle has turned into dove. <br />The path from the meadow that leads to the bars <br />Is more to me now than the path of the stars. <br /> <br />How shall I woo thee to win thee, mine own, <br />Thou who art fair and as far as the moon? <br />Had I the strength of the torrent's wild tone, <br />Had I the sweetness of warblers in June; <br />The strength and the sweetness might charm and persuade, <br />But neither have I my petition to aid. <br /> <br />How shall I woo thee to win thee, mine own? <br />How shall I traverse the distance between <br />My humble cot and your glorious throne? <br />How shall a clown gain the ear of a queen? <br />Oh teach me the tongue that shall please thee the best, <br />For till I have won thee my heart may not rest.<br /><br />Paul Laurence Dunbar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/how-shall-i-woo-thee/
