Twenty Days

Twenty days are barely gone, I was merry all the day. Folly was my butt of scorn. Now the fool myself I play. Wit and learning ruled my head, Logic and economy. All the books I ever read Taught me only vanity. Most of all it moved my mirth Womankind the world should rule. Man, the lord of all the Earth! He, forsooth, a woman's tool! Cherry lip and glancing eye! What were rosy cheeks to me? Beauty's truth was but a lie-- Witness tomes of history! Twenty days had barely run. Twenty years they well might be. All my wisdom was undone, Reason bade good--night to me. Her hair was of the red red gold, Her blue eyes looked me through and through. She was twenty--three years old, I was twenty years and two. Fortune, fame, I freely give, Honour's self, if so she please, Sweetly in her smile to live Other twenty days like these.