this no song of ingnue this no ballad of innocence this the rhyme of a lady who followed ever the natural bents this a solo of sapience this a chantey of sophistry this the sum of experiments i loved them until they loved me decked in garments of sable hue daubed with ashes of myriad lents wearing shower bouquets of rue walk i ever in penitence oft i roam as my heart repents through god s acre of memory marking stones in my reverence i loved them until they loved me pictures pass me in long review marching columns of dead events i was tender and often true ever a prey to coincidence always knew i the consequence always saw what the end would be we re as nature has made us hence i loved them until they loved me princes never i d give offense won t you think of me tenderly here s my strength and my weakness gents i loved them until they loved me