Classic Poem

I.

As Love and Folly rambled on
O'er many a mount and garden gay,
Time's brightest hours still flew on,
And noon and twilight pass'd away; —
The night came down — Love loudly knock'd
At Wisdom's gate, who from within
Exclaim'd, " My doors are safely lock'd,
" And Love and Folly can't get in. "

II.

Love came to me, and told his tale,
And I resolv'd, beyond all doubt,
To save him from the midnight gale,
And, (cruel case!) shut Folly out.
But Prudence then stood at my side,
And said, " If Love his way could win,
" He was to Folly near allied,
" And soon the boy would let her in. "

III.

Oh Prudence! you the truth have told, —
The boy has let her in of late,
And both are grown so vain and bold,
They frighten Wisdom from my gate:
With silken cords they bind my hands;
In vain their mercy I beseech,
I tremble at their dire commands,
And am, by turns, the slave of each.