Page:New mirror of love.pdf/6

 This seeming liberty I take,

Believe me not for custom’s sake;

Still doth my constant heart incline.

To thee my dearest Valentine.

It is the language of that heart,

Which now I candidly impart,

No formal words precise and fine,

Unworthy of my Valentine.

Believe me, oh, thou charming fair,

The language of the heart’s sincere;

Then do not love for love decline,

But be my faithful Valentine.

How often I’ve written in vain,

How often in vain have implor’d?

Oh, have I no right to complain,

When slighted by her I’ve ador’d?

Thy sex is for tenderness known,

Dear women our manners refine;

Then why to unkindness thus prone,

Why slight thus a fond Valentine ?

To thee I am attach’d,

The reason I‘ll define;