LOVE'S EXCHANGE

Simple am I, I care no whit

For pelf or place,

It is enough for me to sit

And watch Dulcinea's face;

To mark the lights and shadows flit

Across the silver moon of it.

I have no other merchandise,

No stocks or shares,

No other gold but just what lies

In those deep eyes of hers;

And, sure, if all the world were wise,

It too would bank within her eyes.

I buy up all her smiles all day

With all my love,

And sell them back, cost-price, or, say,

A kiss or two above;

It is a speculation fine,

The profit must be always mine.

The world has many things,‘ tis true,

To fill its time,

Far more important things to do

Than making love and rhyme;

Yet, if it asked me to advise,

I'd say — buy up Dulcinea's eyes!