To William, Who May Command Him Anything

Bid me to live, and I will live,
Thy provender to be;
Or bid my give, and I will give
 Delicious plums to thee.

A plum as cold, a plum as sweet,
With a stone as loose and free,
As in the whole world thou canst eat,
 That plum I’ll give to thee.

Bid that plum stay, and it will stay
My breakfast for to be;
Or bid it let you have your way
 And it will yield to thee.

Bid me forgive, and I’ll forgive
What trespasses I see;
And seeing none, yet I’ll forgive
 The things you keep from me.

Bid me to shop, and I will fill
The icebox full for thee,
Or bid me hear, and I will thrill
 To what you say to me.

Thou art my life, my fridge, my fruit,
The very plums of me;
And hast command of all my loot,
 To feed and comfort thee.