We have tonight, my lover said,
To write a poem
A poem to write
Without a wasted word? said I
Said I, said I, said I
*
Precisely so, my lover said,
A hundred words
And one besides
‘Tis not enough, I fast replied
‘Tis not, ’tis not enough
*
If love were true, my lover said,
You’d need but three
Just three would do
But I would die for you, I said
For you I’d die, said I
*
Quick! Write our poem! my lover said
For time is short
And I’ll be gone
Forever mourning wasted words
And all the things wewishedwe’ddone
*
