Classic Poem

Because a Lady chose to say
I know not what long months away
A Lady charming fair and young,
En passant, in the crowd, one night,
She'd read my verse with such delight—
For this is it and not for more
My brain I ransack o'er and o'er
And consecrate, to make and mend
Each busy workday's scanty end,
With labour long and service hard
To win some future word's reward?

Ah folly, folly, folly.

Fair words of friends they come perforce
A thing of kindness and of course,
And author's compliments alack
Are only given to be given back.
The public's favour—the Vulgar—these
It were pollution did we please,
But oh to cause one feeling's stir
To make one moment sweet to her
That is so lovely and so young
And speaks with oh so true a tongue—
With sweet musings blend the word
And to her confidence be heard,

Oh folly, folly, folly.

I wondered much what once I spurned
To pleasure all at once was turned,
Content here found, I knew not why,
Long hours of vext correction ply,
To turn, to twist, reject, replace
And win the rebel rhymes to grace.
In joy I slaved nor had one thought
I was but fooled in all I wrought
By one that lovely was and young
And spoke with such a flattering tongue.
I had my joy nor had a doubt;
Oh that I found my folly out,

Oh folly, folly, folly.