Delia, the unkindest girl on earth, <br />When I besought the fair, <br />That favour of intrinsic worth <br />A ringlet of her hair, <br /> <br />Refused that instant to comply <br />With my absurd request, <br />For reasons she could specify, <br />Some twenty score at least. <br /> <br />Trust me, my dear, however odd <br />It may appear to say, <br />I sought it merely to defraud <br />Thy spoiler of his prey. <br /> <br />Yes! when its sister locks shall fade, <br />As quickly fade they must, <br />When all their beauties are decayed, <br />Their gloss, their colour, lost— <br /> <br />Ah then! if haply to my share <br />Some slender pittance fall, <br />If I but gain one single hair, <br />Nor age usurp them all;— <br /> <br />When you behold it still as sleek, <br />As lovely to the view, <br />As when it left thy snowy neck, <br />That Eden where it grew, <br /> <br />Then shall my Delia's self declare <br />That I professed the truth, <br />And have preserved my little share <br />In everlasting youth.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/apology-to-delia-for-desiring-a-lock-of-her-hair/
