University of Virginia Library


212

FALSE LADY! NO MORE SHALT THOU TRIFLE.

False Lady! no more shalt thou trifle
With one who was faithful to thee—
Dissembler! henceforth I will stifle
Each throb of affection for thee.
The hand that I prized as a jewel
To others I gladly resign;
A nature inconstant and cruel
Shall never be-mated with mine.
Old poets have feigned that a Fairy
Of peerless deportment and charms,
First tempted her victim to marry,
Then turned to a hag in his arms:
Thy beauty thus veiled for a season
A heart that was hollow and cold,
But Love turned to ashes when reason
Detected the counterfeit gold.