XCVIII. ROCOCO.
Reading edition
XCVIII. ROCOCO.
Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
By studying my lady's eyes I've grown so learnèd day by day, So Machiavelian in this wise, That when I send her flowers, I say
To each small flower (no matter what, Geranium, pink, or tuberose, Syringa, or forget-me-not, Or violet) before it goes:
"Be not triumphant, little flower, When on her haughty heart you lie, But modestly enjoy your hour: She'll weary of you by-and-by."