Classic Poem

— — — The wisest of the wise
— — — Listen to pretty lies
— — — And love to hear 'mdash told.
— — — Doubt not that Solomon
— — — Listened to many a one, —
Some in his youth, and more when he grew old.

— — — I never was among
— — — The choir of Wisdom's song,
— — — But pretty lies loved I
— — — As much as any king,
— — — When youth was on the wing,
And (must it then be told?) when youth had quite gone by.

— — — Alas! and I have not
— — — The pleasant hour forgot
— — — When one pert lady said,
— — — " O Walter! I am quite
— — — Bewildered with affright!
I see (sit quiet now) a white hair on your head! "

— — — Another more benign
— — — Snipped it away from mine,
— — — And in her own dark hair
— — — Pretended it was found . . .
— — — She leaped, and twirled it round . . .
Fair as she was, she never was so fair!