Thomas Moore (1779–1852)

To the Pretty Little Mrs. —

Improptu.

Magis venustatem an brevitatem mireris incertum est.
Macrob. Sat. lib. ii. cap. 2.

This journal of folly’s an emblem of me;
But what book shall we find emblematic of thee?
Oh! shall we not say thou art Love’s duodecimo?
None can be prettier, few can be less, you know.
Such a volume in sheets were a volume of charms;
Or, if bound, it should only be bound in our arms!