50

THE PET CANARY.

And tell him how oft with her bird in the cage
She has talked of the absent and looked at his gage.
Thou shouldst give him the kiss I am giving to thee,
And say it was sent as a token from me.

"Pretty Dick!" if he told you no more we should part, Thy wings could not flutter much more than my heart.

THE TREATY.

CAROLINE BOWLES.

EVER tell me of loving by measure and weight,
As one's merits may lack or abound;

As if love could be carried to market like

skate,

And cheapened for so much a pound.

If it can—if yours can, let them have it who care-
You and I, friend! shall never agree—

Pack up and to market be off with your ware;
It's a great deal too common for me.

52

THE TREATY.

D'ye linger?-d' ye laugh ?-I'm in earnest, I vow-

Though perhaps over-hasty a thought;

If you're thinking to close with my terms as they are, Well and good-but I won't bate a jot.

You must love me-we'll note the chief articles now,

To preclude all mistakes in our pact—

And I'll pledge you, unasked and beforehand, my vow, To give double for all I exact.

You must love me-not only through "evil report," When its falsehood you more than divine;

But when upon earth I can only resort

To your heart as a voucher for mine.

You must love—not my faults—but in spite of them

me,

For the very caprices that vex you :

Nay, the more, should you chance (as it's likely) to see 'Tis my special delight to perplex you.

THE TREATY.

You must love me, albeit the world I offend

By impertinence, whimsies, conceit;

While assured (if you are not, all treaty must end)
That I never can stoop to deceit.

While assured (as you must be, or there too we part)
That were all the world leagued against you,

To loosen one hair of your hold on my heart
Would be more than "life's labours" could do.

53

You must love me, howe'er I may take things amiss, Whereof you in all conscience stand clear;

And although, when you'd fain make it up with a kiss,

Your reward be a box on the ear.

You must love me-not only when smiling and gay, Complying, sweet tempered, and civil;

But when moping, and frowning, and forward-or say The thing plain out-as cross as the devil.

54

THE TREATY.

You must love me in all moods-in seriousness, sport;
Under all change of circumstance too :
Apart, or together, in crowds, or-in short,
You must love me-because I love you.