A Song For Two

I have lacquered my teeth to find a husband. And I have need of a wife. Give me a kiss and they will marry us At Mo-Lao, my village. I will marry you if you will wait for me, Wait till the banana puts forth branches, And fruit hangs heavy on the Sung-tree, And the onion flowers; Wait till the dove goes down in the pool to lay her eggs, And the eel climbs into a tree to make her nest. Song of Annam.