Constancy—As Applied to One Man
Reading edition
A man by Nature ne'er was meant To love one maid alone— E'en if by doing so he'd gain A seat upon a throne. Polygamous when 'comes to love— (Be diff'rent no man can) Monogony's monotony When 'plied to love of man! Yet here am I! ('gainst Nature's law)— Mirabile dictu— Loving one maid, and just ONE (sic), Exclusively and true! As other men, I liv'd and lov'd Until you came my way— Now all my love is yours, O Queen, Forever and a day!
Dear, dear dead loves, one last farewell! Your graves no more I'll tend; Your ghosts, whom I have welcomed oft, Their visits now must end. Sweet girls, whom I have lov'd—and lost— Loved? Yes, but for a day— I now have found my Queen of Hearts Whom I can love alway. I once thought that I lov'd you well— But O! the love I feel For my dear Queen is diff'rent quite— And it's the love that's real. My Queen now has each thought, each dream; No more I'll think of you— Love was, love's past for all save her— So, ex-loves all, adieu.
