ON THE QUOTATION,

And “thy true faith can alter never?” —

Indeed it lasted for a — week!

I know the length of Love's forever,

And just expected such a freak.

In peace we met, in peace we parted,

In peace we vowed to meet again,

And though I find thee fickle-hearted

No pang of mine shall make thee vain.

One gone —‘ twas time to seek a second;

In sooth‘ twere hard to blame thy haste.

And whatsoe'er thy love be reckoned,

At least thou hast improved in taste:

Though one was young, the next was younger,

His love was new, mine too well known —

And what might make the charm still stronger,

The youth was present, I was flown.

Seven days and nights of single sorrow!

Too much for human constancy!

A fortnight past, why then to-morrow,

His turn is come to follow me:

And if each week you change a lover,

And so have acted heretofore,

Before a year or two is over

We'll form a very pretty corps.

Adieu, fair thing! without upbraiding

I fain would take a decent leave;

Thy beauty still survives unfading,

And undeceived may long deceive.

With him unto thy bosom dearer

Enjoy the moments as they flee;

I only wish his love sincerer

Than thy young heart has been to me.