Lapsus Calami (Aug 1891)/Regrets

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First published in Granta, June 1891.

1990674Lapsus Calami — RegretsJames Kenneth Stephen

Regrets.

A Roundel.

You would not hear me speak; you never knew,
Will never know, the eloquence unique
It was my purpose to bestow on you;
You would not hear me speak.

Dear! it was no caprice, or idle freak:
Perhaps I did not even mean to woo:
My meaning was not very far to seek:
I might have gained the end I had in view;
I might have failed, since words are often weak;
It never can be settled now: adieu!
You would not hear me speak.