"Be off with you now" a poem by Charles Swain, an English Poet, put to music and published in 1856.

Charles Swain born in Manchester, England after leaving school at 15 started work as a clerk in a 'dye-house' and later (in his 30s) was employed by a Manchester 'engraving and lithography' company. Liturature being his life passion he wrote many articles and poems during his life which were published in magazines such as the Manchester Iris and Annuals; and in 1856 he was awarded a civil list pension.

BE OFF WITH YOU NOW!

Be off with you now! – don’t I know
That it’s only cajoling you are,
With – “cheeks like the rose’s soft glow,
And glances more bright than the star?”
‘Tis true that my waist is but small,
And my ringlets may curl like the vine;
But I’m not like an angel at all,
Nor am I the least bit divine.

So be off with you now! – don’t I see
Your deluding from eve until dawn?
My step may be bounding and free,
But I’m not the least like a fawn.
But ‘twas ever the method – we know –
Since Adam in Eden began,
That bosoms were sure to be snow! –
And necks were, of course, like the swan!

Come, be off with you now! – till you learn
To woo like a plain hearted youth;
Let your mind, if you love me, discern
To win, you must woo me with truth!
I would rather – instead of these flowers
In which you are ever so rife –
That you promised to love me all hours
As long as each other had life!