A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.

VI. When the lad for longing sighs

WHEN the lad for longing sighs,

Mute and dull of cheer and pale,

If at death’s own door he lies,

Maiden, you can heal his ail.

Lovers’ ills are all to buy:

The wan look, the hollow tone,

The hung head, the sunken eye,

You can have them for your own.

Buy them, buy them: eve and morn

Lovers’ ills are all to sell.

Then you can lie down forlorn;

But the lover will be well.