Palabras Cariñosas

Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836–1907)

(Spanish Air)

GOOD-NIGHT! I have to say good-night

To such a host of peerless things!

Good-night unto the slender hand

All queenly with its weight of rings;

Good-night to fond, uplifted eyes,

Good-night to chestnut braids of hair,

Good-night unto the perfect mouth,

And all the sweetness nestled there—

The snowy hand detains me, then

I ’ll have to say Good-night again!

But there will come a time, my love,

When, if I read our stars aright,

I shall not linger by this porch

With my farewells. Till then, good-night!

You wish the time were now? And I.

You do not blush to wish it so?

You would have blushed yourself to death

To own so much a year ago—

What, both these snowy hands! ah, then

I ’ll have to say Good-night again!