SONGS OF THE SEEDY.—No. 4.
And must we part?—well, let it be;
’Tis better thus, oh, yes, believe me;
For though I still was true to thee,
Thou, faithless maiden, wouldst deceive me.
Take back this written pledge of love,
No more I’ll to my bosom fold it;
The ring you gave, your faith to prove,
I can’t return—because I’ve sold it!
I will not ask thee to restore
Each gage d’armour, or lover’s token,
Which I had given thee before
The links between us had been broken.
They were not much, but oh! that brooch,
If for my sake thou’st deign’d to save it,
For that, at least, I must encroach,—
It wasn’t mine, although I gave it.
The gem that in my breast I wore,
That once belonged unto your mother
Which, when you gave to me, I swore
For life I’d love you, and no other.
Can you forget that cheerful morn,
When in my breast thou first didst stick it?—
I can’t restore it—it’s in pawn;
But, base deceiver—that’s the ticket.
Oh, take back all, I cannot bear
These proofs of love—they seem to mock it;
There, false one, take your lock of hair—
Nay, do not ask me for the locket.
Insidious girl! that wily tear
Is useless now, that all is ended:
There is thy curl—nay, do not sneer,
The locket’s—somewhere—being mended.
The dressing-case you lately gave
Was fit, I know, for Bagdad’s caliph;
I used it only once to shave,
When it was taken by the bailiff.
Than thou didst give I bring back less;
But hear the truth, without more dodging—
The landlord’s been with a distress,
And positively cleared my lodging.