When I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say ,
"Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away ;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free."
But I was one-and-twenty,
No use to talk to me.
When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again ,
"The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain ;
"tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue."
And I am one-and-twenty,
And ho , 'tis true , 'tis true.