A light-hearted one from Olof von Dalin (1708-64)

Ditty

On the church-tower the magpie sits,

The goose is laid in a skillet:

And he whose heart’s corn snugly fits

Does not out loud have to trill it.

Come, dear one, and join the ring,

And dance the floor into shivers:

Don’t jest about the heart’s sharp sting:

For I know best where it quivers.

Hoist the canvas, the wind is fine,

When sailing I am in clover:

Each takes his own, so I take mine,

And hard luck if you’re left over.

Feel the swell that the good ship bears

From Gothenburg and to China:

He whose friend in his thoughts aye wears

Through hardships will always find her.

Birds now sing in the light-green bower,

and leafing branches give cover:

I think of every quiet hour

That I will spend with my lover!

Sit you down in the cold snow there,

Your brow you’ll save then from freezing:

And if my angel were less than fair,

I’d find some other more pleasing.