An Honest Motive

            

Heed not his gently pleading voice,

      O, maiden fair, I pray thee;

Although it makes thy heart require,

      His falseness yet will slay thee.

His arm has stolen round thy form

      To draw a promise from thee;

But with a motive pure and warm

      Sweet child, I would alarm thee.

The motive? ‘tis an honest one,

      For ever since I’ve known thee,

(there’s nothing fairer ‘neath the sun)

      I’ve wished myself to own thee.

Jan. 19, ‘91

Pub. in the Conn. Valley Ad.