Classic Poem

Since first o'er Album verse I groaned,
What years have passed me by!
'Twas hard to think the girl who owned
That foolish book could die.

But strange to say that die she did;
No fish escapes death's hook;
And stranger still, her memory slid
Quite out of memory's book.

And tho' I love you very much,
And mine is love in sooth,
Ne'er credit me, my love is such
As will defy Time's tooth.

To please thee, I'd resign my breath,
Or more — I'd write a rhyme;
But tho' my love is strong as Death,
It is not strong as Time.