Inscription
Oft is the medal faithful to its trust.
On Nov. 16, 1811, writing again to Sir George on this subject of the "Inscriptions," and evidently referring to this one on the "Niche," he says, "As to the 'Female,' and 'Male,' I know not how to get rid of it; for that circumstance gives the recess an appropriate interest.... On this account, the lines had better be suppressed, for it is not improbable that the altering of them might cost me more trouble than writing a hundred fresh ones."—Ed.
VARIANTS:
[1] 1815.
That it was fashioned in ... MS.
[2] 1815.
But by prompt hands of Pleasure and of Love,
Female and Male; that emulously strove MS.
[3] 1827.