Ah, Manon, say, why is it we br Are one and all so fain of thee? br Thy rich red beauty debonnaire br In very truth is not more fair, br Than the shy grace and purity br That clothe the maiden maidenly; br Her gray eyes shine more tenderly br And not less bright than thine her hair; br Ah, Manon, say! br Expound, I pray, the mystery br Why wine-stained lip and languid eye, br And most unsaintly Maenad air, br Should move us more than all the rare br White roses of virginity? br Ah, Manon, say!br br Ernest Christopher Dowsonbr br