Ah, my arms hold you fast, and my lips touch your cheek,
And I'm crying, "Love, answer me; speak to me—speak!"
And the answer you give to my longing distress
Is that word, with a blush and a kiss, that word "Yes."
Ah, my arms hold you fast, and I burn with a fire
That nothing but long-waiting love can inspire.
Yet I know you mean nothing—mean nothing, because
It's mere acting. Ah me, I can hear the applause.