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171
TO ---.
Ah! cruel-hearted maiden! provoking pretty one!
You little know, (like “Diamond,”) the mischief you have done!
How many hearts you've broken, is more than I can tell,
But that you've played the deuce with one, alas! is known too well.
To every homage Love can pay, insensible you seem—
How can the dark-eyed one “keep dark” on such a tender theme?
Why not consent humanely and graciously to spare
(To ease the poor subscriber's mind) a ringlet of her hair?
You little know, (like “Diamond,”) the mischief you have done!
How many hearts you've broken, is more than I can tell,
But that you've played the deuce with one, alas! is known too well.
To every homage Love can pay, insensible you seem—
How can the dark-eyed one “keep dark” on such a tender theme?
Why not consent humanely and graciously to spare
(To ease the poor subscriber's mind) a ringlet of her hair?
I've many treasures of the sort—aye, something like a score
(As near as I can reckon—perhaps there may be more.)
And some are very beautiful—there's one as black as ink,
Which I have kept on hand at least a dozen years, I think.
There's one as pale as amber, and one as white as snow,
And one that's soft and flaxen—another more like tow.
And one as golden as the crown upon Victoria's head;
Another auburn—or perchance, the least inclined to red.
And here is one—a splendid one—this curl of wavy brown!
'Tis from a head that might have turned the heads of half the town.
(As near as I can reckon—perhaps there may be more.)
172
Which I have kept on hand at least a dozen years, I think.
There's one as pale as amber, and one as white as snow,
And one that's soft and flaxen—another more like tow.
And one as golden as the crown upon Victoria's head;
Another auburn—or perchance, the least inclined to red.
And here is one—a splendid one—this curl of wavy brown!
'Tis from a head that might have turned the heads of half the town.
And thou mayst have them all for one of those dark locks of thine,
That over snowy neck and brow so lovingly entwine.
That over snowy neck and brow so lovingly entwine.
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