News
Cambridge Residents Slam Council Proposal to Delay Bike Lane Construction
News
‘Gender-Affirming Slay Fest’: Harvard College QSA Hosts Annual Queer Prom
News
‘Not Being Nerds’: Harvard Students Dance to Tinashe at Yardfest
News
Wrongful Death Trial Against CAMHS Employee Over 2015 Student Suicide To Begin Tuesday
News
Cornel West, Harvard Affiliates Call for University to Divest from ‘Israeli Apartheid’ at Rally
"O thou generous Venus! O thou beautiful, bountiful calm!" - The Newcomes.
DEAR lazy goddess! in old time
How many happy hours I've spent
In careless indolence sublime,
To all, save thee, indifferent!
Thine, restful Ease, was all my youth; -
Forgive me, if my better years
I vow to others, - for, in truth,
Little I've gained of thee but tears.
I bring thee here, and thus devote,
Cigars and pipe and cigarettes;
An arm-chair deep, a new dress-coat;
I'll swear off poker, pay my debts,
Claret at dinner do without;
French novels I hereby abjure;
I'll turn my old acquaintance out,
To make my reformation sure.
And last, and hardest, I'll refrain
From what was erst a joy intense, -
No more, however great the strain,
I'll ply the "art of self-defence."
Take - take these letters, gloves, and curls,
Standards of forts once well defended;
Rosebuds and ribbons, given of girls, -
Relics of broken hearts, since mended.
And, Venus! if thou still art kind,
If ever thou propitious wert, -
Thou 'It to my vows be somewhat blind,
If, just a little, I may flirt?
J. K. M.
Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.