Little Lad of the Tricks

Little lad of the tricks,

Full well I know

That you have been in mischief:

Confess your fault truly.

I forgive you, child

Of the soft red mouth:

I will not condemn anyone

For a sin not understood.

Raise your comely head

Till I kiss your mouth:

If either of us is the better of that

I am the better of it.

There is a fragrance in your kiss

That I have not found yet

In the kisses of women

Or in the honey of their bodies.

Lad of the grey eyes,

That flush in thy cheek

Would be white with dread of me

Could you read my secrets.

He who has my secrets

Is not fit to touch you:

Is not that a pitiful thing,

Little lad of the tricks?