Fanny

Through the broad, rolling prairie I'll merrily ride,
Though father may fume, and though mother may chide,
To the green, leafy island—the largest of three—
That quietly sleeps in that silent, green sea;
For there my dear Fanny, my gentle young Fanny,
My own darling Fanny, is waiting for me.

Ho! Selim! push on!—The green isle's still afar,
And morning's red blush dims the dawn's regal star;
Before the sun rises, she'll watch there for me,
Her eyes like twin-planets that soothe the vext sea;—
My young, black-eyed Fanny, my winsome, sweet Fanny,
My own darling Fanny, will watch there for me.
Swift, Selim! swift, sluggard!—more swiftly than this;
There are ripe, rosy lips that I'm dying to kiss,
And a dear little bosom will throb with delight,
When the star on your forehead first glitters in sight;—
My glad, little Fanny, my arch, merry Fanny,
My graceful, fair Fanny,—no star is so bright.

Then her soft, snowy arms round me fondly will twine,
And her warm, rosy lips will be pressed close to mine,
And her innocent bosom with rapture will beat,
When again, and no more to be parted, we meet:
My lovely young Fanny, my own darling Fanny,
The flower of the prairie, so modest and sweet.

So, father may grumble, and mother may cry,
And sister may scold;—I know very well why;
'Tis that beauty and virtue are all Fanny's store,
That, while we are rich, she, alas! is quite poor;—
My lovely young Fanny, my faithful, true Fanny,
My own darling Fanny, I'll love you the more.

Ho, Selim! fleet Selim! bound fast o'er the plain!
The morning advances, the stars swiftly wane;
I see in the distance the green, leafy isle—
Between us and it stretch full many a mile—
Where my true-hearted Fanny, my own constant Fanny,
Shall welcome us both with a tear and a smile.