And can but love the loving.”

THE POET’S REASON.

I live to write; and write, good friend.

In part, I know, for you;

Though, while I do so, in the end

Myself it pleases too.

“The world,” you think, “may prize my rhymes.”

Of old, I hoped it would.

But many and many have been the times

I only deem’d them good!