Song Meaning
The narrator directly addresses Cloris, questioning her consistent "No" during his courtship. He seems to believe her refusal might be a mere formality of maidenly behavior, rather than a genuine rejection. The lyrics suggest a playful, perhaps even slightly manipulative, attempt to reframe her resistance.
The central tension lies in the narrator's interpretation of Cloris's "No." He posits that if her refusal is simply a conventional response for an unmarried woman, then she should "Say No, and ne'er refuse it." This implies he sees her "No" as a performative act that doesn't preclude acceptance, a clever way to push for a different outcome.
The craft here hinges on a specific wordplay and a subtle challenge to convention. The narrator takes a direct, almost legalistic approach to her response, dissecting the meaning of "No." By suggesting she "ne'er refuse it" if she's using "No" as a maid, he's trying to force a logical corner, implying her current stance is contradictory if it's merely a social tic.
This lyrical exchange is effective because it captures a specific, perhaps archaic, dynamic of courtship where words could be parsed for hidden meanings. The narrator’s insistence and his attempt to redefine her refusal create a sense of witty, yet persistent, pursuit that feels both charming and a little demanding.
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