A Song No Gentleman Would Sing to Any Lady
THERE were some things I might not knowHad you not pedagogued me so;And these I thank you for;Now never shall a piquant faceCause my tutored heart a traceOf anguish any more.
Before your pleasure made me wiseA simulacrum of disguiseMasked the serpent and the dove;That I discern now hiss from coo,My heart's full gratitude to you,Lady I had learned to love.
Before I knew love well I sangMany a polished pain and pangWith proper bardic zeal;But now I know hearts do not breakSo easily, and though a snakeHas made them, wounds may heal.
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