No, Thank You, John

I never said I loved you, John: Why will you tease me day by day, And wax a weariness to think upon With always ‘do’ and ‘pray’?

You know I never loved you, John; No fault of mine made me your toast: Why will you haunt me with a face as wan As shows an hour-old ghost?

I dare say Meg or Moll would take Pity upon you, if you’d ask: 10 And pray don’t remain single for my sake Who can’t perform that task.

I have no heart?--Perhaps I have not; But then you’re mad to take offence That I don’t give you what I have not got: Use your own common sense.

Let bygones be bygones: Don’t call me false, who owed not to be true: I’d rather answer ‘No’ to fifty Johns Than answer ‘Yes’ to you. 20

Let’s mar our pleasant days no more, Song-birds of passage, days of youth: Catch at to-day, forget the days before: I’ll wink at your untruth.

Let us strike hands as hearty friends; No more, no less; and friendship’s good: Only don’t keep in view ulterior ends, And points not understood

In open treaty. Rise above Quibbles and shuffling off and on: 30 Here’s friendship for you if you like; but love,-- No, thank you, John.

MAY

I cannot tell you how it was; But this I know: it came to pass Upon a bright and breezy day When May was young; ah, pleasant May! As yet the poppies were not born Between the blades of tender corn; The last eggs had not hatched as yet, Nor any bird forgone its mate.

I cannot tell you what it was; But this I know: it did but pass. 10 It passed away with sunny May, With all sweet things it passed away, And left me old, and cold, and grey.