Who cares? I 'll make a clean breast once for all!

Beside, you 've heard the gossip. My life long

I 've been a woman-liker,—liking means

Loving and so on. There 's a lengthy list

By this time I shall have to answer for—

So say the good folk: and they don't guess half—

For the worst is, let once collecting-itch

Possess you, and, with perspicacity,

Keeps growing such a greediness that theft

Follows at no long distance,—there 's the fact!