Classic Poem

An artist painted Time and Love;
Time with two pinions spread above,
And Love without a feather;
Sir Harry patronized the plan,
And soon Sir Hal and Lady Ann
In wedlock came together.

Copies of each the dame bespoke:
The artist, ere he drew a stroke,
Reversed his old opinions,
And straightway to the fair one brings
Time in his turn devoid of wings,
And Cupid with two pinions.

“What blunder's this?” the lady cries.
“No blunder, Madam,” he replies,
“I hope I'm not so stupid.
Each has his pinions in his day,
Time, before marriage, flies away,
And, after marriage, Cupid.”