With trifles of my own in three-time,

Till all the air was heavy with Desire,

And prostrate matrons begged me to retire.

Just then a vogue for High Romance

Prevailed, and I’d a pent-up yearning;

The hollow cheek, the hungry glance,

Betrayed the fever inly burning;

At inconvenient times the thing would out,

Especially when ladies were about.

Somehow the care of female hearts