University of Virginia Library

THE LOVER'S CONFESSION.

Come, name my fault!” I said, “that I
May mend it.” So I made reply
To Laura, darling of my heart,
Whom long, in vain, by every art
I tried to force to franker speech.
“Do tell me plainly, I beseech,
For my soul's sake, that while I live
I may repent and Heaven forgive!”

91

“'T is worldliness!” at last she said,
And, blushing, drooped her lovely head,
As if she feared I might infer
She meant forgetfulness of her.
“And is that all?” I answered. “Well,
I own the world's enchanting spell;
The fault is one I cannot hide;
But ah! 't is not for you to chide;
Still, dearest, let me worldly be,
Since you are ‘all the world’ to me!”