9
[EPIGRAM]
Say what you will, Ingenious Youth!
You'll find me neither Dupe nor Dunce:
Once you deceived me—only once,
'Twas then when you told me the Truth.
1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. Adapted from Lessing's Sinngedicht No. 45. An einen Lügner. 'Du magst so oft, so fein, als dir nur möglich, lügen.'