Haggling

I barter prices like a merchant,
As if my haggling will bring them down;
But he, the vendor, smiles just so,
And shakes his head without a sound.

I see now - love is like a pearl
I give my life to buy;
And then it lives within my heart
Beyond the reach of miser’s eyes—

But why pay for such a treasure
Which I will never hold?
Ah! – “This pearl will light your heart,” says he –
Instead of wearing chains of gold!

To sacrifice myself for love
Will free my heart to fly;
It hurts to satisfy the cost
But ’tis a prize which I must buy!