1 Canst thou love me, lady? <br />2 I've not learn'd to woo: <br />3 Thou art on the shady <br />4 Side of sixty too. <br />5 Still I love thee dearly! <br />6 Thou hast lands and pelf: <br />7 But I love thee merely <br />8 Merely for thyself. <br /> <br />9 Wilt thou love me, fairest? <br />10 Though thou art not fair; <br />11 And I think thou wearest <br />12 Someone-else's hair. <br />13 Thou could'st love, though, dearly: <br />14 And, as I am told, <br />15 Thou art very nearly <br />16 Worth thy weight, in gold. <br /> <br />17 Dost thou love me, sweet love? <br />18 Tell me that thou dost! <br />19 Women fairly beat one, <br />20 But I think thou must. <br />21 Thou art loved so dearly: <br />22 I am plain, but then <br />23 Thou (to speak sincerely) <br />24 Art as plain again. <br /> <br />25 Love me, bashful fairy! <br />26 I've an empty purse: <br />27 And I've 'moods,' which vary; <br />28 Mostly for the worse. <br />29 Still, I love thee dearly: <br />30 Though I make (I feel) <br />31 Love a little queerly, <br />32 I'm as true as steel. <br /> <br />33 Love me, swear to love me <br />34 (As, you know, they do) <br />35 By yon heaven above me <br />36 And its changeless blue. <br />37 Love me, lady, dearly, <br />38 If you'll be so good; <br />39 Though I don't see clearly <br />40 On what ground you should. <br /> <br />41 Love me -- ah or love me <br />42 Not, but be my bride! <br />43 Do not simply shove me <br />44 (So to speak) aside! <br />45 P'raps it would be dearly <br />46 Purchased at the price; <br />47 But a hundred yearly <br />48 Would be very nice.<br /><br />Charles Stuart Calverley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-26/
