Charles Stuart Calverley

Love

    Canst thou love me, lady?
        I've not learn'd to woo:
    Thou art on the shady
        Side of sixty too.
    Still I love thee dearly!
        Thou hast lands and pelf:
    But I love thee merely
        Merely for thyself.
    Wilt thou love me, fairest?
       Though thou art not fair;
   And I think thou wearest
       Someone-else's hair.
   Thou could'st love, though, dearly:
       And, as I am told,
   Thou art very nearly
       Worth thy weight, in gold.
   Dost thou love me, sweet love?
       Tell me that thou dost!
   Women fairly beat one,
       But I think thou must.
   Thou art loved so dearly:
       I am plain, but then
   Thou (to speak sincerely)
       Art as plain again.
   Love me, bashful fairy!
       I've an empty purse:
   And I've "moods," which vary;
       Mostly for the worse.
   Still, I love thee dearly:
       Though I make (I feel)
   Love a little queerly,
       I'm as true as steel.
   Love me, swear to love me
      (As, you know, they do)
   By yon heaven above me
       And its changeless blue.
   Love me, lady, dearly,
       If you'll be so good;
   Though I don't see clearly
       On what ground you should.
   Love me — ah or love me
       Not, but be my bride!
   Do not simply shove me
      (So to speak) aside!
   P'raps it would be dearly
       Purchased at the price;
   But a hundred yearly
       Would be very nice.