THE EXCHANGE

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge

We pledged our hearts, my love and I,—

I in my arms the maiden clasping;

I could not guess the reason why,

But, oh! I trembled like an aspen.

Her father's love she bade me gain;

I went, but shook like any reed!

I strove to act the man — in vain!

We had exchanged our hearts indeed.