Madame, Withouten Many Words

Song Meaning

This poem opens with a direct address, a plea for a swift and clear response from "Madame." The narrator wants a definitive "yea or nay," cutting through any pretense or delay. He suggests that if she is inclined to accept, she should signal it with a simple gesture, "a beck," and then use her intelligence to confirm it. The urgency stems from a desire to avoid prolonged uncertainty and to understand her true disposition without unnecessary preamble.