" And MY TRUE FAITH CAN ALTER NEVER , T HOUGH THOU ART GONE PERHAPS FOREVER ."

[First printed in the Edition of 1898 from a manuscript in possession of Mr. Murray.]

And " thy true faith can alter never?" —
Indeed it lasted for a — week!
I know the length of Love's forever,
And just expected such a freak.
In peace we met, in peace we parted,
In peace we vow'd to meet again,
And though I find thee fickle-hearted
No pang of mine shall make thee vain.

One gone — 't was time to seek a second;
In sooth 't were hard to blame thy haste.
And whatsoe'er thy love be reckon'd,
At least thou hast improved in taste:
Though one was young, the next was younger,
His love was new, mine too well known —
And what might make the charm still stronger,
The youth was present, I was flown.

Seven days and nights of single sorrow!
Too much for human constancy!
A fortnight past, why then to-morrow
His turn is come to follow me:
And if each week you change a lover,
And so have acted heretofore,
Before a year or two is over
We'll form a very pretty corps .

Adieu, fair thing! without upbraiding
I fain would take a decent leave;
Thy beauty still survives unfading,
And undeceived may long deceive.
With him unto thy bosom dearer
Enjoy the moments as they flee;
I only wish his love sincerer
Than thy young heart has been to me.
1812.