Romney

Nay, Romney, nay - I will not hear you say          Those words again:    "I love you, love you sweet!"          You are profane - blasphemous.    I repeat,     You are no actor for so grand a play.     You love with all your heart?    Well, that may be;          Some cups are fashioned shallow.    Should I try          To quench my thirst from one of those, when dry -     I who have had a full bowl proffered me -     A new bowl brimming with a draught divine,          One single taste thrilled to the finger-tips?          Think you I even care to bathe my lips     With this poor sweetened water you call wine?     And though I spilled the nectar ere 'twas quaffed,          And broke the bowl in wanton folly, yet          I would die of my thirst ere I would wet     My burning lips with any meaner draught.     So leave me, Romney.    One who has seen a play          Enacted by a star cannot endure          To see it rendered by an amateur.     You know not what Love is - now go away!