The Love-Letter
If this should fail, why then I scarcely know
What could succeed. Here's brilliancy (and banter),
Byron ad lib. , a chapter of Rousseau; —
If this should fail, then tempora mutantur ;
Style's out of date, and love, as a profession,
Acquires no aid from beauty of expression.
" The men who think as I, Ifear, are few,"
(Cynics would say 'twere well if they were fewer);
" I am not what I seem," — (indeed, 'tis true;
Though, as a sentiment, it might be newer);
" Mine is a soul whose deeper feelings lie
More deep than words" — (as these exemplify).
" I will not say when first your beauty's sun
Illumed my life," — (it needs imagination);
" For me to see you and to love were one," —
(This will account for some precipitation);
" Let it suffice that worship more devoted
Ne'er throbbed", et cetera . The rest is quoted.
" If Love can look with all-prophetic eye," —
(Ah, if he could, how many would be single!)
" If truly spirit unto spirit cry," —
(The ears of some most terribly must tingle!)
" Then I have dreamed you will not turn your face."
This next, I think, is more than commonplace.
" Why should we speak, if Love, interpreting,
Forestall the speech with favour found before?
Why should we plead? — it were an idle thing,
If Love himself be Love's ambassador!"
Blot, as I live! Shall we erase it? No; —
'Twill show we write currente calamo .
" My fate, — my fortune, I commit to you," —
(In point of fact, the latter's not extensive);
" Without you I am poor indeed," — (strike through,
'Tis true but crude — 'twould make her apprehensive);
" My life is yours — I lay it at your feet,"
(Having no choice but Hymen or the Fleet).
" Give me the right to stand within the shrine,
Where never yet my faltering feet intruded;
Give me the right to call you wholly mine," —
(That is, Consols and Three-per-Cents included);
" To guard your rest from every care that cankers, —
To keep your life," — (and balance at your banker's).
" Compel me not to long for your reply;
Suspense makes havoc with the mind — (and muscles);
" Winged Hope takes flight," — (which means that I must fly,
Default of funds, to Paris or to Brussels);
" I cannot wait! My own, my queen — P RISCILLA !
Write by return." And now for a Manilla!
" Miss Blank," at " Blank." Jemima, let it go;
And I, meanwhile, will idle with " Sir Walter";
Stay, let me keep the first rough copy, though —
'Twill serve again. There's but the name to alter;
And Love, — that starves, — must knock at every portal,
In forma pauperis. We are but mortal!
What could succeed. Here's brilliancy (and banter),
Byron ad lib. , a chapter of Rousseau; —
If this should fail, then tempora mutantur ;
Style's out of date, and love, as a profession,
Acquires no aid from beauty of expression.
" The men who think as I, Ifear, are few,"
(Cynics would say 'twere well if they were fewer);
" I am not what I seem," — (indeed, 'tis true;
Though, as a sentiment, it might be newer);
" Mine is a soul whose deeper feelings lie
More deep than words" — (as these exemplify).
" I will not say when first your beauty's sun
Illumed my life," — (it needs imagination);
" For me to see you and to love were one," —
(This will account for some precipitation);
" Let it suffice that worship more devoted
Ne'er throbbed", et cetera . The rest is quoted.
" If Love can look with all-prophetic eye," —
(Ah, if he could, how many would be single!)
" If truly spirit unto spirit cry," —
(The ears of some most terribly must tingle!)
" Then I have dreamed you will not turn your face."
This next, I think, is more than commonplace.
" Why should we speak, if Love, interpreting,
Forestall the speech with favour found before?
Why should we plead? — it were an idle thing,
If Love himself be Love's ambassador!"
Blot, as I live! Shall we erase it? No; —
'Twill show we write currente calamo .
" My fate, — my fortune, I commit to you," —
(In point of fact, the latter's not extensive);
" Without you I am poor indeed," — (strike through,
'Tis true but crude — 'twould make her apprehensive);
" My life is yours — I lay it at your feet,"
(Having no choice but Hymen or the Fleet).
" Give me the right to stand within the shrine,
Where never yet my faltering feet intruded;
Give me the right to call you wholly mine," —
(That is, Consols and Three-per-Cents included);
" To guard your rest from every care that cankers, —
To keep your life," — (and balance at your banker's).
" Compel me not to long for your reply;
Suspense makes havoc with the mind — (and muscles);
" Winged Hope takes flight," — (which means that I must fly,
Default of funds, to Paris or to Brussels);
" I cannot wait! My own, my queen — P RISCILLA !
Write by return." And now for a Manilla!
" Miss Blank," at " Blank." Jemima, let it go;
And I, meanwhile, will idle with " Sir Walter";
Stay, let me keep the first rough copy, though —
'Twill serve again. There's but the name to alter;
And Love, — that starves, — must knock at every portal,
In forma pauperis. We are but mortal!
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