Ah blame me not, Catcott, if from the right way <br />My notions and actions run far. <br />How can my ideas do other but stray, <br />Deprived of their ruling North-Star? <br /> <br />A blame me not, Broderip, if mounted aloft, <br />I chatter and spoil the dull air; <br />How can I imagine thy foppery soft, <br />When discord's the voice of my fair? <br /> <br />If Turner remitted my bluster and rhymes, <br />If Hardind was girlish and cold, <br />If never an ogle was got from Miss Grimes, <br />If Flavia was blasted and old; <br /> <br />I chose without liking, and left without pain, <br />Nor welcomed the frown with a sigh; <br />I scorned, like a monkey, to dangle my chain, <br />And paint them new charms with a lie. <br /> <br />Once Cotton was handsome; I flam'd and I burn'd, <br />I died to obtain the bright queen; <br />But when I beheld my epistle return'd, <br />By Jesu it alter'd the scene. <br /> <br />She's damnable ugly, my Vanity cried, <br />You lie, says my Conscience, you lie; <br />Resolving to follow the dictates of Pride, <br />I'd view her a hag to my eye. <br /> <br />But should she regain her bright lustre again, <br />And shine in her natural charms, <br />'Tis but to accept of the works of my pen, <br />And permit me to use my own arms.<br /><br />Thomas Chatterton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-new-song/
