O SWEETHEART, HEAR YOU

By James Joyce

O Sweetheart, hear you

Your lover’s tale;

A man shall have sorrow

When friends him fail.

For he shall know then

Friends be untrue

And a little ashes

Their words come to.

But one unto him

Will softly move

And softly woo him

In ways of love.

His hand is under

Her smooth round breast;

So he who has sorrow

Shall have rest.