Aye! love was worth the having then, and worth the giving too,
When knightly honor deem’d it shame to proffer vows untrue,
And nought but nature’s nobleness could beauty’s pride subdue.
Alas! the “march of intellect” has crush’d these fairy bowers,
Our heroes dress in good broadcloth, and courtship’s years are hours.
Yet still from Love’s celestial fount some honeyed waters fall,
Else were the cup of earthly life but an unmingled gall.
And if thou’lt listen to a tale of modern love and wo,
I’ll tell thee a true story, dear, that chanc’d not long ago.