The Yellow Book/Volume 4/Two Songs
Two Songs
By Charles Sydney
I
My love is selfish and unfair,Her kisses fall so thick and fast,That while I wait to give my share,The priceless time is past.
And I have been to blame till now,For I have let her do her will;I thought it courteous to allowMy love to take her fill,
Trusting a time would quickly be,When she would stay and look for mine;But having borne it patiently,I will no longer pine.
I'll fold her in my arms to-night,And justice on her lips I'll wreak:I'll teach my love to know the right,And not oppress the meek!
II
Bear thyself with formal gait,Be thy language all sedate;Thy opinions take on trust,Take gold for thy only lust.
Shun belief devout or deep,Ever to the safe side keep;Let thy hollow laugh be framedTo the joke by all acclaimed.
Never for pure charityLevel a disparity;Farm thy favour to a fool,Make his gratitude thy tool.
Let thy conscience be a thingLike a clock to go, and ringJust that time the hour doth mark.Let some other light the dark!
Friend and wife a bargain buyThere where state and money lieClaim a goodly cenotaph,Buy a lying epitaph!