I.-TO MISTRESS BARBARA <br /> <br />There were three cavaliers, all handsome and true, <br />On Valentine's day came a maiden to woo, <br />And quoth to your mother: 'Good-morrow, my dear, <br />We came with some songs for your daughter to hear!' <br /> <br />Your mother replied: 'I'll be pleased to convey <br />To my daughter what things you may sing or may say!' <br /> <br />Then the first cavalier sung: 'My pretty red rose, <br />I'll love you and court you some day, I suppose!' <br /> <br />And the next cavalier sung, with make-believe tears: <br />'I've loved you! I've loved you these many long years!' <br /> <br />But the third cavalier (with the brown, bushy head <br />And the pretty blue jacket and necktie of red) <br />He drew himself up with a resolute air, <br />And he warbled: 'O maiden, surpassingly fair! <br />I've loved you long years, and I love you to-day, <br />And, if you will let me, I'll love you for aye!' <br /> <br />I (the third cavalier) sang this ditty to you, <br />In my necktie of red and my jacket of blue; <br />I'm sure you'll prefer the song that was mine <br />And smile your approval on your valentine. <br /> <br /> <br />II.-TO A BABY BOY <br /> <br />Who I am I shall not say, <br />But I send you this bouquet <br />With this query, baby mine: <br />'Will you be my valentine?' <br /> <br />See these roses blushing blue, <br />Very like your eyes of hue; <br />While these violets are the red <br />Of your cheeks. It can be said <br />Ne'er before was babe like you. <br /> <br />And I think it is quite true <br />No one e'er before to-day <br />Sent so wondrous a bouquet <br />As these posies aforesaid- <br />Roses blue and violets red! <br /> <br />Sweet, repay me sweets for sweets- <br />'Tis your lover who entreats! <br />Smile upon me, baby mine- <br />Be my little valentine!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-valentines-2/
