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JESSIE

Eugene Field

When I remark her golden hair

Swoon on her glorious shoulders,

I marvel not that sight so rare

Doth ravish all beholders;

For summon hence all pretty girls

Renowned for beauteous tresses,

And you shall find among their curls

There's none so fair as Jessie's.

 

And Jessie's eyes are, oh, so blue

And full of sweet revealings--

They seem to look you through and through

And read your inmost feelings;

Nor black emits such ardent fires,

Nor brown such truth expresses--

Admit it, all ye gallant squires--

There are no eyes like Jessie's.

 

Her voice (like liquid beams that roll

From moonland to the river)

Steals subtly to the raptured soul,

Therein to lie and quiver;

Or falls upon the grateful ear

With chaste and warm caresses--

Ah, all concede the truth (who hear):

There's no such voice as Jessie's.

 

Of other charms she hath such store

All rivalry excelling,

Though I used adjectives galore,

They'd fail me in the telling;

But now discretion stays my hand--

Adieu, eyes, voice, and tresses.

Of all the husbands in the land

There's none so fierce as Jessie's.