FROM A GENTLEMAN.

THENEW LONDON FASHIONABLEGENTLEMAN’SVALENTINE WRITER.

As I wander’d about ’tother day full of thought,With the subject of love I was very much caught;Whether best to live single, or best with a wife,I assure you within me was terrible strife.Thinks I to myself, one is stupid alone,And I’m sure I have read, “two is better than one;”So a wife I have fixed on, that wife shall be you,If it please you, and I will be constant and true.

As I wander’d about ’tother day full of thought,With the subject of love I was very much caught;Whether best to live single, or best with a wife,I assure you within me was terrible strife.

As I wander’d about ’tother day full of thought,

With the subject of love I was very much caught;

Whether best to live single, or best with a wife,

I assure you within me was terrible strife.

Thinks I to myself, one is stupid alone,And I’m sure I have read, “two is better than one;”So a wife I have fixed on, that wife shall be you,If it please you, and I will be constant and true.

Thinks I to myself, one is stupid alone,

And I’m sure I have read, “two is better than one;”

So a wife I have fixed on, that wife shall be you,

If it please you, and I will be constant and true.

“To be constant and true”—your promise is fair,And I with your lines am quite smit I declare;So I, at your word, take you, and send you this line,To say I rejoice to be your Valentine.

“To be constant and true”—your promise is fair,

And I with your lines am quite smit I declare;

So I, at your word, take you, and send you this line,

To say I rejoice to be your Valentine.

I have only a few months to serve,When I shall be out of my time;To keep thee I’ll strain every nerve,Devoting to thee all my prime.Then spite of relations and friends,Consent, my dear girl, to be mine;I’ll make for their loss great amends,If you’ll be my fond Valentine.

I have only a few months to serve,When I shall be out of my time;To keep thee I’ll strain every nerve,Devoting to thee all my prime.

I have only a few months to serve,

When I shall be out of my time;

To keep thee I’ll strain every nerve,

Devoting to thee all my prime.

Then spite of relations and friends,Consent, my dear girl, to be mine;I’ll make for their loss great amends,If you’ll be my fond Valentine.

Then spite of relations and friends,

Consent, my dear girl, to be mine;

I’ll make for their loss great amends,

If you’ll be my fond Valentine.

That you promise fair, I confess,And shall not your offer decline;Indeed I want words to express,That you’re my approv’d Valentine.

That you promise fair, I confess,

And shall not your offer decline;

Indeed I want words to express,

That you’re my approv’d Valentine.

You ought to have patience indeed,Until you’re in bus’ness awhile;For how do you know you’ll succeed,So many now fail in their toil?Then you’d be a bankrupt in love,If business began to decline;And, oh! what a burthen would proveYour hasty and rash Valentine!

You ought to have patience indeed,Until you’re in bus’ness awhile;For how do you know you’ll succeed,So many now fail in their toil?

You ought to have patience indeed,

Until you’re in bus’ness awhile;

For how do you know you’ll succeed,

So many now fail in their toil?

Then you’d be a bankrupt in love,If business began to decline;And, oh! what a burthen would proveYour hasty and rash Valentine!

Then you’d be a bankrupt in love,

If business began to decline;

And, oh! what a burthen would prove

Your hasty and rash Valentine!

Altho’ I have a charming place,Yet I’d that place resign,My dearest fair one to embrace,And be her Valentine.’Tis thee alone that I would serve,Then to my suit incline,Nor from your humble servant swerve,But be his Valentine.

Altho’ I have a charming place,Yet I’d that place resign,My dearest fair one to embrace,And be her Valentine.

Altho’ I have a charming place,

Yet I’d that place resign,

My dearest fair one to embrace,

And be her Valentine.

’Tis thee alone that I would serve,Then to my suit incline,Nor from your humble servant swerve,But be his Valentine.

’Tis thee alone that I would serve,

Then to my suit incline,

Nor from your humble servant swerve,

But be his Valentine.

I have receiv’d your Valentine,And ponder’d upon every line;And if I must confess the truth,I think you are a charming youth.

I have receiv’d your Valentine,

And ponder’d upon every line;

And if I must confess the truth,

I think you are a charming youth.

Pray keep your place where plenty reigns,The thought is a bad sign;If you gave up your ways and means,How could you keep a Valentine?Such idleness I can’t endure;Then mind I do advise,When poverty is at the door,Love out of window flies.

Pray keep your place where plenty reigns,The thought is a bad sign;If you gave up your ways and means,How could you keep a Valentine?

Pray keep your place where plenty reigns,

The thought is a bad sign;

If you gave up your ways and means,

How could you keep a Valentine?

Such idleness I can’t endure;Then mind I do advise,When poverty is at the door,Love out of window flies.

Such idleness I can’t endure;

Then mind I do advise,

When poverty is at the door,

Love out of window flies.

When first I saw thee I would fainHave feasted on the sight again—That thy sweet figure I may ’twine,Consent to be my Valentine.

When first I saw thee I would fain

Have feasted on the sight again—

That thy sweet figure I may ’twine,

Consent to be my Valentine.

To thee this answer I address,For soon did I the author guess;But, ere my person I resign,I wish to see my Valentine.

To thee this answer I address,

For soon did I the author guess;

But, ere my person I resign,

I wish to see my Valentine.

Love, when sudden, is not right,Who can judge, pray, at first sight?Madness you with love combine,Is’t thus you seek a Valentine?

Love, when sudden, is not right,

Who can judge, pray, at first sight?

Madness you with love combine,

Is’t thus you seek a Valentine?

Mark well—“Oh, thou wert born to please me,”’Tis true—“My dear, my only love”—Then with a negative don’t teaze me—But your fond Valentine approve.“Come, live with me and be my love”—And you shall sing “sweet home” each day;So happy, we’ll together rove“Over the hills and far away.”

Mark well—“Oh, thou wert born to please me,”’Tis true—“My dear, my only love”—Then with a negative don’t teaze me—But your fond Valentine approve.

Mark well—“Oh, thou wert born to please me,”

’Tis true—“My dear, my only love”—

Then with a negative don’t teaze me—

But your fond Valentine approve.

“Come, live with me and be my love”—And you shall sing “sweet home” each day;So happy, we’ll together rove“Over the hills and far away.”

“Come, live with me and be my love”—

And you shall sing “sweet home” each day;

So happy, we’ll together rove

“Over the hills and far away.”

I understand, Sir, what you mean,So you may get the wedding ring;“Ah, sure a pair were never seen,”The people all around will sing.“Sweet home!” is a delightful song,“Begone, dull Care,” shall give us cheer“A snug little cot” we’ll have ere long—“The charming fellow” you shall hear.

I understand, Sir, what you mean,So you may get the wedding ring;“Ah, sure a pair were never seen,”The people all around will sing.

I understand, Sir, what you mean,

So you may get the wedding ring;

“Ah, sure a pair were never seen,”

The people all around will sing.

“Sweet home!” is a delightful song,“Begone, dull Care,” shall give us cheer“A snug little cot” we’ll have ere long—“The charming fellow” you shall hear.

“Sweet home!” is a delightful song,

“Begone, dull Care,” shall give us cheer

“A snug little cot” we’ll have ere long—

“The charming fellow” you shall hear.

“Go, naughty man, I can’t abide you,”“Cease your cunning” so malign;There are other men beside you,And a better Valentine.

“Go, naughty man, I can’t abide you,”

“Cease your cunning” so malign;

There are other men beside you,

And a better Valentine.

I am a gentleman by birth—A competency boast;Of all the fair ones upon earth,Thee I admire the most.Thou art accomplish’d—quite refin’d—An angel, so divine!Then, since thou’rt suited to my mindPray be my Valentine.

I am a gentleman by birth—A competency boast;Of all the fair ones upon earth,Thee I admire the most.

I am a gentleman by birth—

A competency boast;

Of all the fair ones upon earth,

Thee I admire the most.

Thou art accomplish’d—quite refin’d—An angel, so divine!Then, since thou’rt suited to my mindPray be my Valentine.

Thou art accomplish’d—quite refin’d—

An angel, so divine!

Then, since thou’rt suited to my mind

Pray be my Valentine.

If I indeed thy heart possess,Why should I let thee pine?No, candidly I will confess,Thou art my Valentine.

If I indeed thy heart possess,

Why should I let thee pine?

No, candidly I will confess,

Thou art my Valentine.

Thy boast of birth I must deride,My family’s as good as thine—Sir, I detest such empty pride,And scorn to be thy Valentine.Thy hope to wheedle is in vain,There’s flattery in every line;Reform, if e’er you hope t’ obtain,A noble-minded Valentine.

Thy boast of birth I must deride,My family’s as good as thine—Sir, I detest such empty pride,And scorn to be thy Valentine.

Thy boast of birth I must deride,

My family’s as good as thine—

Sir, I detest such empty pride,

And scorn to be thy Valentine.

Thy hope to wheedle is in vain,There’s flattery in every line;Reform, if e’er you hope t’ obtain,A noble-minded Valentine.

Thy hope to wheedle is in vain,

There’s flattery in every line;

Reform, if e’er you hope t’ obtain,

A noble-minded Valentine.

Think not I love with feeble flame;Think not my love untrue;And think, if I am aught to blameIn too much loving you.

Think not I love with feeble flame;

Think not my love untrue;

And think, if I am aught to blame

In too much loving you.

Forgive me, pale Miss, if you think I am rude,But your mein and your manners declare you a prude;With finicking fingers you coil up the lace,Your caps and your ribbons, with ill-contriv’d grace;O! who but a fool would e’er venture to take,For a bride such a trumpery gingerbread cake;Yet whose humble conceits, without twopence to spare,Would lead her to think she’s a match for a mayor.

Forgive me, pale Miss, if you think I am rude,

But your mein and your manners declare you a prude;

With finicking fingers you coil up the lace,

Your caps and your ribbons, with ill-contriv’d grace;

O! who but a fool would e’er venture to take,

For a bride such a trumpery gingerbread cake;

Yet whose humble conceits, without twopence to spare,

Would lead her to think she’s a match for a mayor.

If you’ll my partner be for life,My Valentine I shall regard;But you must be a frugal wife,Because the times are very hard.I’ll give you what is good I vow,And always strive to make you glad;But no extravagance allow,Because the times are very hard.

If you’ll my partner be for life,My Valentine I shall regard;But you must be a frugal wife,Because the times are very hard.

If you’ll my partner be for life,

My Valentine I shall regard;

But you must be a frugal wife,

Because the times are very hard.

I’ll give you what is good I vow,And always strive to make you glad;But no extravagance allow,Because the times are very hard.

I’ll give you what is good I vow,

And always strive to make you glad;

But no extravagance allow,

Because the times are very hard.

Content is all that I request,I seek not to be rich or fine;The man who always does his best,Must be a worthy Valentine.I’ll work as well as you, dear Sir,And tho’ of comforts oft debarr’d,Believe me I shall not demur,Because the times I know are hard.

Content is all that I request,I seek not to be rich or fine;The man who always does his best,Must be a worthy Valentine.

Content is all that I request,

I seek not to be rich or fine;

The man who always does his best,

Must be a worthy Valentine.

I’ll work as well as you, dear Sir,And tho’ of comforts oft debarr’d,Believe me I shall not demur,Because the times I know are hard.

I’ll work as well as you, dear Sir,

And tho’ of comforts oft debarr’d,

Believe me I shall not demur,

Because the times I know are hard.

Indeed I doubted your regard,When I perus’d your paltry lines;And must observe, as times are hard,You should not think of Valentines.As I’m at liberty to judge,You are a stingy man I think,And I should be afraid you’d grudgeAll I sat down to eat and drink.

Indeed I doubted your regard,When I perus’d your paltry lines;And must observe, as times are hard,You should not think of Valentines.

Indeed I doubted your regard,

When I perus’d your paltry lines;

And must observe, as times are hard,

You should not think of Valentines.

As I’m at liberty to judge,You are a stingy man I think,And I should be afraid you’d grudgeAll I sat down to eat and drink.

As I’m at liberty to judge,

You are a stingy man I think,

And I should be afraid you’d grudge

All I sat down to eat and drink.

As you’re the fair whom I approve,Oh, let us visit Hymen’s shrine,There make our vows of mutual love,And be each other’s Valentine!

As you’re the fair whom I approve,

Oh, let us visit Hymen’s shrine,

There make our vows of mutual love,

And be each other’s Valentine!

You have astonish’d me indeed,And my consent I hereby sign;I’ll follow—if the way you’ll lead—Your most obedient Valentine.

You have astonish’d me indeed,

And my consent I hereby sign;

I’ll follow—if the way you’ll lead—

Your most obedient Valentine.

“Look before you leap,” they say,To the adage I incline;I must think ere I obey,And know well my Valentine.

“Look before you leap,” they say,

To the adage I incline;

I must think ere I obey,

And know well my Valentine.

Altho’ my occupation’s mean,I wish my girl to know,On Sundays I am very clean,And seem more high than low.They frequently are found more coarse,Who think themselves more fine—Take me for better or for worse,And be my Valentine.

Altho’ my occupation’s mean,I wish my girl to know,On Sundays I am very clean,And seem more high than low.

Altho’ my occupation’s mean,

I wish my girl to know,

On Sundays I am very clean,

And seem more high than low.

They frequently are found more coarse,Who think themselves more fine—Take me for better or for worse,And be my Valentine.

They frequently are found more coarse,

Who think themselves more fine—

Take me for better or for worse,

And be my Valentine.

The high and low, all, ’tis allow’d,From Adam do arise;And, therefore, I am not so proud,The humble to despise.The lowest man may be sincere,And wherefore should he pine?I therefore am resolv’d to cheerMy humble Valentine.

The high and low, all, ’tis allow’d,From Adam do arise;And, therefore, I am not so proud,The humble to despise.

The high and low, all, ’tis allow’d,

From Adam do arise;

And, therefore, I am not so proud,

The humble to despise.

The lowest man may be sincere,And wherefore should he pine?I therefore am resolv’d to cheerMy humble Valentine.

The lowest man may be sincere,

And wherefore should he pine?

I therefore am resolv’d to cheer

My humble Valentine.

You look too high I must declare,More modest pray appear;And seek a Valentine elsewhere,Within your proper sphere.A servant wench your vows may hear,A bar-maid may incline;But look not higher, or, I fear,You’ll get no Valentine.

You look too high I must declare,More modest pray appear;And seek a Valentine elsewhere,Within your proper sphere.

You look too high I must declare,

More modest pray appear;

And seek a Valentine elsewhere,

Within your proper sphere.

A servant wench your vows may hear,A bar-maid may incline;But look not higher, or, I fear,You’ll get no Valentine.

A servant wench your vows may hear,

A bar-maid may incline;

But look not higher, or, I fear,

You’ll get no Valentine.

I’m lonesome since I’ve lost my wife,My children I have well dispos’d;Be thou my Valentine for life,And let the bargain soon be clos’d.

I’m lonesome since I’ve lost my wife,

My children I have well dispos’d;

Be thou my Valentine for life,

And let the bargain soon be clos’d.

Sir, as I lately understood,To please your wife you always strove;In me I hope you’ll find as good,And ne’er repent your second love.

Sir, as I lately understood,

To please your wife you always strove;

In me I hope you’ll find as good,

And ne’er repent your second love.

Sir, you are aged it appears,Why on a second marriage bent?A widower advanced in years,I think, as such, should be content.

Sir, you are aged it appears,

Why on a second marriage bent?

A widower advanced in years,

I think, as such, should be content.

I love my Valentine as muchAs doctors love a fee to touch;As much as misers love their pelf,Or as a dandy loves himself;As much as minstrels love a lay,Or children love a holiday;As much as gluttons love to dine,I love my dearest Valentine.

I love my Valentine as much

As doctors love a fee to touch;

As much as misers love their pelf,

Or as a dandy loves himself;

As much as minstrels love a lay,

Or children love a holiday;

As much as gluttons love to dine,

I love my dearest Valentine.

I love my Valentine indeed,As much as scholars love to read;As much as soldiers love to mess;As much as ladies love to dress;As much as amateurs to play,As much as courtiers to be gay:In short, I love my ValentineAs much as coxcombs to be fine.

I love my Valentine indeed,

As much as scholars love to read;

As much as soldiers love to mess;

As much as ladies love to dress;

As much as amateurs to play,

As much as courtiers to be gay:

In short, I love my Valentine

As much as coxcombs to be fine.

I hate a flatterer—’tis true,As much as Christians hate a Jew;As much as schoolmasters a clod,Or little children hate a rod;As much as critics hate a pun,Or wretched debtors hate a dun:In short, a flatterer I hate,As much as dandies love to prate.

I hate a flatterer—’tis true,

As much as Christians hate a Jew;

As much as schoolmasters a clod,

Or little children hate a rod;

As much as critics hate a pun,

Or wretched debtors hate a dun:

In short, a flatterer I hate,

As much as dandies love to prate.

I boast not eloquence, dear Miss,Nor do I write exceeding fine;Therefore, I bluntly ask you this—Pray, will you be my Valentine?

I boast not eloquence, dear Miss,

Nor do I write exceeding fine;

Therefore, I bluntly ask you this—

Pray, will you be my Valentine?

Fine pompous words I do detest,Nor can I bear the studied line;I own that he will suit me best,Who is a downright Valentine.

Fine pompous words I do detest,

Nor can I bear the studied line;

I own that he will suit me best,

Who is a downright Valentine.

Give me the man refin’d—correct—A polish makes all metals shine;To clownish ways I must object—Give me th’ accomplish’d Valentine.

Give me the man refin’d—correct—

A polish makes all metals shine;

To clownish ways I must object—

Give me th’ accomplish’d Valentine.

Of all the fair I’ve ever seen,For beauty, manners, and for mien,My charmer doth outshine:Oh, then, be kind, I humbly pray,Grant me the happiness to say,You are my Valentine.

Of all the fair I’ve ever seen,

For beauty, manners, and for mien,

My charmer doth outshine:

Oh, then, be kind, I humbly pray,

Grant me the happiness to say,

You are my Valentine.

Of all the youths I’ve ever known,For wit and truth I needs must ownTo thee I must incline;Oh, then, my freedom pray excuse,But truly I could not refuse,So kind a Valentine.

Of all the youths I’ve ever known,

For wit and truth I needs must own

To thee I must incline;

Oh, then, my freedom pray excuse,

But truly I could not refuse,

So kind a Valentine.

Of all the trash I ever read,It may with verity be said,’Tis your unmeaning lines;Of this no more pray ever send,For be assur’d I’ll not attendTo foolish Valentines.

Of all the trash I ever read,

It may with verity be said,

’Tis your unmeaning lines;

Of this no more pray ever send,

For be assur’d I’ll not attend

To foolish Valentines.

I have been very wild of late,But if to marry you’ll incline,I shall reform—I’ll grow sedate,And be a constant Valentine.

I have been very wild of late,

But if to marry you’ll incline,

I shall reform—I’ll grow sedate,

And be a constant Valentine.

I know that men will rove in youth,But once their wild oats having sown,They are, for constancy and truth,The best of Valentines that’s known.

I know that men will rove in youth,

But once their wild oats having sown,

They are, for constancy and truth,

The best of Valentines that’s known.

I’ve heard so much, Sir, of your pranks,That I your offer must decline;For your kind meaning you’ve my thanks,But seek another Valentine.

I’ve heard so much, Sir, of your pranks,

That I your offer must decline;

For your kind meaning you’ve my thanks,

But seek another Valentine.

Tho’ for Valentine some scornA mechanic, ’cause he toils;She had better ne’er been born,Who for that withholds her smiles.Handicraft great judgment shows’Tis of skill a certain sign;’Stead of cocking, then, your nose,Be my loving Valentine.

Tho’ for Valentine some scornA mechanic, ’cause he toils;She had better ne’er been born,Who for that withholds her smiles.

Tho’ for Valentine some scorn

A mechanic, ’cause he toils;

She had better ne’er been born,

Who for that withholds her smiles.

Handicraft great judgment shows’Tis of skill a certain sign;’Stead of cocking, then, your nose,Be my loving Valentine.

Handicraft great judgment shows

’Tis of skill a certain sign;

’Stead of cocking, then, your nose,

Be my loving Valentine.

Industry is my delight,At my needle I excel;We’ll our vows together plight,For we’ll do exceeding well.

Industry is my delight,

At my needle I excel;

We’ll our vows together plight,

For we’ll do exceeding well.

Of handicrafts there’s many a sort,Some are dirty, some are clean;Of yours I’ve heard a bad report,You must guess, then, what I mean.

Of handicrafts there’s many a sort,

Some are dirty, some are clean;

Of yours I’ve heard a bad report,

You must guess, then, what I mean.

I am young, not yet of age,But I’m old enough for thee,And I’ll please thee, I engage,If my Valentine you’ll be.

I am young, not yet of age,

But I’m old enough for thee,

And I’ll please thee, I engage,

If my Valentine you’ll be.

Youth’s the season, I am told,That for love and joy’s most fit,Then, kind Sir—don’t think me bold—Your addresses I’ll permit.

Youth’s the season, I am told,

That for love and joy’s most fit,

Then, kind Sir—don’t think me bold—

Your addresses I’ll permit.

For Valentine I’ll have no boy,For I abhor a hobble-de-hoy;His pertness always must molest—AnddandyismI much detest.

For Valentine I’ll have no boy,

For I abhor a hobble-de-hoy;

His pertness always must molest—

AnddandyismI much detest.

I for my Valentine have gotA little comfortable cot;I’ve got a little piece of land,And other things too at command:Oh, tell me then if you’ll be mine,Say if you’ll be my Valentine.

I for my Valentine have got

A little comfortable cot;

I’ve got a little piece of land,

And other things too at command:

Oh, tell me then if you’ll be mine,

Say if you’ll be my Valentine.

To my thanks you have a claim,For the kindness which you proffer:I should be indeed to blame,Were I to reject your offer.

To my thanks you have a claim,

For the kindness which you proffer:

I should be indeed to blame,

Were I to reject your offer.

’Tis not land that can impart,A good temper, a good heart;In the cottage we may find,Anger and a troubled mind.

’Tis not land that can impart,

A good temper, a good heart;

In the cottage we may find,

Anger and a troubled mind.

Tho’ this a lab’rer sends to thee,In hopes your Valentine to be,Make him not subject of thy mirth:What but a labourer was man,When this great universe began,For Adam dug, you know, the earth?

Tho’ this a lab’rer sends to thee,

In hopes your Valentine to be,

Make him not subject of thy mirth:

What but a labourer was man,

When this great universe began,

For Adam dug, you know, the earth?

That man is born to toil I know,He has his cares we find;And woman must experience woe,So let us be resign’d.Thank heaven for any Valentine,Altho’ a lab’rer’s sent;I’ve learn’d whatever state be mine,Therewith to be content.

That man is born to toil I know,He has his cares we find;And woman must experience woe,So let us be resign’d.

That man is born to toil I know,

He has his cares we find;

And woman must experience woe,

So let us be resign’d.

Thank heaven for any Valentine,Altho’ a lab’rer’s sent;I’ve learn’d whatever state be mine,Therewith to be content.

Thank heaven for any Valentine,

Altho’ a lab’rer’s sent;

I’ve learn’d whatever state be mine,

Therewith to be content.

I pray adopt another plan,And think upon a new design;Sooner than have a working man,I’d do without a Valentine.I’d be an old maid first, I swear,If such should be my sad mishap,Than I could any lover bear,Who wears so oft apaper-cap.

I pray adopt another plan,And think upon a new design;Sooner than have a working man,I’d do without a Valentine.

I pray adopt another plan,

And think upon a new design;

Sooner than have a working man,

I’d do without a Valentine.

I’d be an old maid first, I swear,If such should be my sad mishap,Than I could any lover bear,Who wears so oft apaper-cap.

I’d be an old maid first, I swear,

If such should be my sad mishap,

Than I could any lover bear,

Who wears so oft apaper-cap.

My charmer alone I shall please,Oh, she shall all others outshine;I’ll promise her comfort and ease,If I be her chosen Valentine.

My charmer alone I shall please,

Oh, she shall all others outshine;

I’ll promise her comfort and ease,

If I be her chosen Valentine.

You promise me fair I confess,And so to your suit I’ll incline;If, Sir, all be true you profess,You, then, are my chosen Valentine.

You promise me fair I confess,

And so to your suit I’ll incline;

If, Sir, all be true you profess,

You, then, are my chosen Valentine.

I know you’ve money at command,But you are miserly and near;Your birth is good I understand,But you are very cross I hear.When we such qualities combine,Who could esteem the Valentine?

I know you’ve money at command,But you are miserly and near;Your birth is good I understand,But you are very cross I hear.

I know you’ve money at command,

But you are miserly and near;

Your birth is good I understand,

But you are very cross I hear.

When we such qualities combine,Who could esteem the Valentine?

When we such qualities combine,

Who could esteem the Valentine?

You’ll say I am to young, I know,To be a Valentine for thee—But thou art young, my dear, and so,A happy union it must be.

You’ll say I am to young, I know,

To be a Valentine for thee—

But thou art young, my dear, and so,

A happy union it must be.

We both are young, and as they say,That Jan’ary shouldn’t join with May;None can assign a cause complete,Why May and May shouldn’t always meet.

We both are young, and as they say,

That Jan’ary shouldn’t join with May;

None can assign a cause complete,

Why May and May shouldn’t always meet.

All my relatives agree,I am too young in love to be—Six or seven years or nine,Then I’ll be your Valentine.

All my relatives agree,

I am too young in love to be—

Six or seven years or nine,

Then I’ll be your Valentine.

Altho’ I’m neither rich nor poor,Yet boldly do I speak;It is your hand alone be sure,And not your wealth I seek.For fear you think I make too free,I now shall only say,That if my Valentine you’ll be,My best respects I’ll pay.

Altho’ I’m neither rich nor poor,Yet boldly do I speak;It is your hand alone be sure,And not your wealth I seek.

Altho’ I’m neither rich nor poor,

Yet boldly do I speak;

It is your hand alone be sure,

And not your wealth I seek.

For fear you think I make too free,I now shall only say,That if my Valentine you’ll be,My best respects I’ll pay.

For fear you think I make too free,

I now shall only say,

That if my Valentine you’ll be,

My best respects I’ll pay.

I like your candour I confess,It is with truth replete—And since you know, Sir, my address,No doubt we soon shall meet.

I like your candour I confess,

It is with truth replete—

And since you know, Sir, my address,

No doubt we soon shall meet.

Love never has your muse inspir’d,And therefore state the fact;It is my fortune that’s admir’d—No other charms attract.

Love never has your muse inspir’d,

And therefore state the fact;

It is my fortune that’s admir’d—

No other charms attract.

My father in business does well,I’m sure he will leave it to me;I hope then my charmer will tell,If she’ll my dear Valentine be.

My father in business does well,

I’m sure he will leave it to me;

I hope then my charmer will tell,

If she’ll my dear Valentine be.

As you my blushes cannot see,I’ll to th’ affirmative incline;And trust we both shall happy be,When we’re each other’s Valentine.

As you my blushes cannot see,

I’ll to th’ affirmative incline;

And trust we both shall happy be,

When we’re each other’s Valentine.

Your father’s business, Sir, may slipThro’ his own hands:—the proverb’s true—Much falls between the cup and lip;So take this answer and adieu.

Your father’s business, Sir, may slip

Thro’ his own hands:—the proverb’s true—

Much falls between the cup and lip;

So take this answer and adieu.

O! who can tell the heart’s emotion?Who can well the power reveal?The painful, pleasing, soft commotion,The hopes, the fears which lovers feel?How vainly I, whose bosom fraughtWith love, unchanging love to thee,Can show its truth, or raise a thoughtThat’s equal to its power in me!

O! who can tell the heart’s emotion?

Who can well the power reveal?

The painful, pleasing, soft commotion,

The hopes, the fears which lovers feel?

How vainly I, whose bosom fraught

With love, unchanging love to thee,

Can show its truth, or raise a thought

That’s equal to its power in me!

Dearer still art thou to me,Fairest maid, in whom I seeAll I must approve.Time, that with oblivious charmMay the power of love disarm,Will but increase my love.

Dearer still art thou to me,

Fairest maid, in whom I see

All I must approve.

Time, that with oblivious charm

May the power of love disarm,

Will but increase my love.

Dear girl belov’d, and lov’d by me,In whom so many charms I see,To captivate my heart;Ah! wilt thou, then, to me, who knowsBut love for thee, for whom it flows,Thy purest love impart?

Dear girl belov’d, and lov’d by me,

In whom so many charms I see,

To captivate my heart;

Ah! wilt thou, then, to me, who knows

But love for thee, for whom it flows,

Thy purest love impart?

How shall my faithful heart, my fair,Declare the bliss it feels,The balm to soften ev’ry careWhich mutual love reveals?When prudence joins the faithful tie,In vain will sorrow prove;And every spark of grief will flyBefore the breath of love.

How shall my faithful heart, my fair,Declare the bliss it feels,The balm to soften ev’ry careWhich mutual love reveals?

How shall my faithful heart, my fair,

Declare the bliss it feels,

The balm to soften ev’ry care

Which mutual love reveals?

When prudence joins the faithful tie,In vain will sorrow prove;And every spark of grief will flyBefore the breath of love.

When prudence joins the faithful tie,

In vain will sorrow prove;

And every spark of grief will fly

Before the breath of love.

Since first my heart with pleasure knewThe power of faithful love for you,And made me only thine,I cannot cease to love thee less,But would returning love possessFrom thee, my Valentine.

Since first my heart with pleasure knew

The power of faithful love for you,

And made me only thine,

I cannot cease to love thee less,

But would returning love possess

From thee, my Valentine.

Whene’er I see thy lovely face,My heart with joy doth burn,Whenever absent from the place,I long for thy return.If you all others would forsake,And love but me alone,And faithful love with me partake,To be my all, my own,I’d bless the day that first I knewMy lovely charmer fair,And all my life should be to showShe was my only care.

Whene’er I see thy lovely face,My heart with joy doth burn,Whenever absent from the place,I long for thy return.

Whene’er I see thy lovely face,

My heart with joy doth burn,

Whenever absent from the place,

I long for thy return.

If you all others would forsake,And love but me alone,And faithful love with me partake,To be my all, my own,

If you all others would forsake,

And love but me alone,

And faithful love with me partake,

To be my all, my own,

I’d bless the day that first I knewMy lovely charmer fair,And all my life should be to showShe was my only care.

I’d bless the day that first I knew

My lovely charmer fair,

And all my life should be to show

She was my only care.

O! could this letter speak my love,And would thy heart that love approve;That faithful love which lives for you,In friendship and affection too.

O! could this letter speak my love,

And would thy heart that love approve;

That faithful love which lives for you,

In friendship and affection too.

Love thee! yes, dear lovely maid,Thee I’ll love, and only thee;And, whatever cares invade,Happy in thy love of me.Love thee! yes, with love replete,Still for thee my heart shall glow,Till my pulse forbids to beat,Or the streams of life to flow.Yes, for ever to my heart,Dear and precious shalt thou be;Wilt thou, then, dear girl, impartLove to him, who lives to thee?

Love thee! yes, dear lovely maid,Thee I’ll love, and only thee;And, whatever cares invade,Happy in thy love of me.

Love thee! yes, dear lovely maid,

Thee I’ll love, and only thee;

And, whatever cares invade,

Happy in thy love of me.

Love thee! yes, with love replete,Still for thee my heart shall glow,Till my pulse forbids to beat,Or the streams of life to flow.

Love thee! yes, with love replete,

Still for thee my heart shall glow,

Till my pulse forbids to beat,

Or the streams of life to flow.

Yes, for ever to my heart,Dear and precious shalt thou be;Wilt thou, then, dear girl, impartLove to him, who lives to thee?

Yes, for ever to my heart,

Dear and precious shalt thou be;

Wilt thou, then, dear girl, impart

Love to him, who lives to thee?

How sweet is love by truth directed,Love by mutual hearts respected,Confiding, constant, true!How sweet to breathe the faithful vow,To give the pledge, as I do now,And seek such love from you!

How sweet is love by truth directed,

Love by mutual hearts respected,

Confiding, constant, true!

How sweet to breathe the faithful vow,

To give the pledge, as I do now,

And seek such love from you!

On a Valentine-day I hasten to proveTo thee, dearest girl, my remembrance of love,Tho’ little, indeed, can a trifle impart,Of a love undivided possessing my heart.

On a Valentine-day I hasten to prove

To thee, dearest girl, my remembrance of love,

Tho’ little, indeed, can a trifle impart,

Of a love undivided possessing my heart.

Be mine, dear girl, with joy to proveWith thee the bliss of wedded love,To seal to thee, and seek from youA love which time will not subdue.

Be mine, dear girl, with joy to prove

With thee the bliss of wedded love,

To seal to thee, and seek from you

A love which time will not subdue.

Let thy tongue, soft love expressing,In my ears fond thoughts repeat;Let thy heart, its truth confessing,With the purest passion beat.Thee alone my heart desiring,Only hopes thou wilt approve;Only this from thee requiring—Love returning equal love.

Let thy tongue, soft love expressing,In my ears fond thoughts repeat;Let thy heart, its truth confessing,With the purest passion beat.

Let thy tongue, soft love expressing,

In my ears fond thoughts repeat;

Let thy heart, its truth confessing,

With the purest passion beat.

Thee alone my heart desiring,Only hopes thou wilt approve;Only this from thee requiring—Love returning equal love.

Thee alone my heart desiring,

Only hopes thou wilt approve;

Only this from thee requiring—

Love returning equal love.

Can one poor humble verse, my fair,Of love the power and truth declare?Can genius, join’d with words, impartIts strong dominion in my heart?Ah! no; for all my love must beBut known by deeds of love for thee.

Can one poor humble verse, my fair,

Of love the power and truth declare?

Can genius, join’d with words, impart

Its strong dominion in my heart?

Ah! no; for all my love must be

But known by deeds of love for thee.

Tell me, dearest, wilt thou proveFaithful in returns of love?I can never cease to ownThou art dear to me alone;I can never cease to beFraught with faithful love for thee.

Tell me, dearest, wilt thou prove

Faithful in returns of love?

I can never cease to own

Thou art dear to me alone;

I can never cease to be

Fraught with faithful love for thee.

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