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Rh Yes, for ever to my heart,

Dear and precious shalt thou be:

Wilt thou, then, dear maid, impart

Love to him, who lives for thee?

Thou innocent charmer, incline

Thy ears to my ditty, I pray;

Beware of the false Valentine,

Who promises but to betray.

To-day will no doubt bring you, Miss,

Of Valentines, may be, a score;

Compare them, I pray, through with this,

And read them attentively o’er.

I wish as a lover and friend,

For friendship and love both should join,

If they flatter, you then may depend,

Not one is a true Valentine.

What matter their promises fair,

If they to the truth don’t incline!

Perhaps you’ll find none so sincere,

As he who writes this Valentine.

Since first my heart with pleasure knew

The power of faithful love for you,

And made me only thine,

I cannot ceasccease [sic] to love thee less,

But would returning love possess

From thee, my Valentine.

Two questions I wish to propose.

And answer both freely and truly;

From Cupid the questions arose,

So pray do not deem them unruly.

To love doth my fair one incline?

Am I, too, her choice? O pray mention!

I’ll be a true, fond Valentine,

Well worthy my charmer’s attention.