Works , 1832, vii. 201

1.

Oh, Anne, your offences to me have been grievous:

I thought from my wrath no atonement could save you;

But Woman is made to command and deceive us—

I look'd in your face, and I almost forgave you.

2.

I vow'd I could ne'er for a moment respect you,

Yet thought that a day's separation was long;

When we met, I determined again to suspect you—

Your smile soon convinced me suspicion was wrong.

3.

I swore, in a transport of young indignation,

With fervent contempt evermore to disdain you:

I saw you—my anger became admiration;

And now, all my wish, all my hope's to regain you.

4.

With beauty like yours, oh, how vain the contention!

Thus lowly I sue for forgiveness before you;—

At once to conclude such a fruitless dissension,

Be false, my sweet Anne, when I cease to adore you!

January 16, 1807. [First published, 1832.]

Footnote 1: Ý Miss Anne Houson.

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