Ellis Parker Butler

Partners

Love took chambers on our street
  Opposite to mine;
On his door he tacked a neat,
  Clearly lettered sign.

Straightway grew his custom great,
  For his sign read so:
“Hearts united while you wait.
  Step in. Love and Co.”

Much I wondered who was “Co.”
  In Love’s partnership;
Thought across the street I’d go—
  Learn from Love’s own lip.

So I went; and since that day
  Life is hard for me.
I was buncoed! (By the way,
  “Co.” is Jealousy.)