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"The Ballade of the Mistletoe Bough" from American Magazine

by Ellis Parker Butler
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    1905

  • American Magazine (December, 1905)   "The Ballade of the Mistletoe Bough"   A poem. With a full-page illustration by Boyd Dillon. p 220-221.  [RGTPL]

from American Magazine
The Ballade of the Mistletoe Bough
by Ellis Parker Butler

I am standing under the mistletoe,
    And I smile, but no answering smile replies
For her haughty glance bids me plainly know
    That not for me is the thing I prize;
Instead, from her coldly scornful eyes,
    Indifference looks on my barefaced guile;
She knows, of course, what my act implies --
    But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

I stand here, eager, and beam and glow,
    And she only looks a refined surprise
As clear and crisp and as cold as snow,
    And as -- Stop! I will never criticise!
I know what her cold glance signifies;
    But I'll stand just here as I am awhile
Till a smile to my pleading look replies --
    But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

Just look at those lips, now! I claim they show
    A spirit unmeet under Christmas skies;
I claim that such lips on such maidens owe
    A -- something -- the custom justifies;
I claim that the mistletoe rule applies
    To her as well as the rank and file;
We should meet these things in a cheerful guise --
    But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

            ENVOY

These customs of Christmas may shock the wise,
    And mistletoe boughs may be out of style,
And a kiss be a thing that all maids despise --
    But look at those lips, do! They hint a smile!


But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

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