The Way I Behaved

Peter Beagle (The Last Unicorn)



When I was a young man, and very well thought of

There was nought I could ask that the ladies denied.

I nibbled their hearts like a handful of raisins,

And I never spoke love, but I knew that I lied.

But I said to myself, "Ah, there's none of them knows

The secret I shelter, and savor, and save.

I wait for the one who can see through my seeming

And I'll know when I love by the way I behave".



The years they passed over like clouds in the heavens,

The ladies went by me like snow on the wind.

I charmed and I cheated, deceived and dissembled

And I sinned, and I sinned and I sinned and I sinned.

But I said to myself,"Ah, there's none of them knows

There's a part of me pure as the whisk of a wave.

My love may be late, but she'll find I have been faithful

And I'll know when I love by the way I behave".



At last came a lady, both knowing and tender

Who said "You are not at all what they take you to be".

I betrayed her before she had quite finished speaking,

And she swallowed cold poison, and jumped in the sea.

And I say to myself, when there's time for a word,

As I gracefully grow more debauched and depraved.

"Ah, love may be strong, but a habit is stronger

And I know how I loved by the way I behaved".



Sings well to The Ashgrove

@love

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RG

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