Page:New mirror of love.pdf/22

 But deign to love a wretched man,

Who lives alone for thee;

Or else to end my life this night

Is really my design,

With pistol loaded, and well prim’d,

Your constant Valentine.

I love thee, dear youth, and can I do less,

As I love thee thus dearly, that love to confess;

No, nor will I a faithful affection disown,

That claims but thy dear approbation alone.

I love! yes, I love, most sincerely, ’tis true,

And all that affection is center’d in you;

Ah! say then, beloved, you’ll love me again,

And I'll strive to love more, if I strive but in

vain.

Perhaps you’d not forgive, my Valentine,

The truth I write; but truth must be divine;

And now you’re past the boundary of youth,

No doubt you’ll more & more esteem the truth.

Take my advice, leave off that youthful dress,

And own at fifty what your looks confess [mend

Double we see those faults which art would

Plain downright ugliness would less offend.

There still remains one tooth within your head