Romney
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Nay, Romney, nay - I will not hear you say
Those words again:"I love you, love you sweet!"
You are profane - blasphemous.I repeat,
You are no actor for so grand a play.
You love with all your heart?Well, that may be;
Some cups are fashioned shallow.Should I try
To quench my thirst from one of those, when dry -
I who have had a full bowl proffered me -
A new bowl brimming with a draught divine,
One single taste thrilled to the finger-tips?
Think you I even care to bathe my lips
With this poor sweetened water you call wine?
And though I spilled the nectar ere 'twas quaffed,
And broke the bowl in wanton folly, yet
I would die of my thirst ere I would wet
My burning lips with any meaner draught.
So leave me, Romney.One who has seen a play
Enacted by a star cannot endure
To see it rendered by an amateur.
You know not what Love is - now go away!