Sweet Love and I had oft communed; br We were, indeed, great friends, br And oft I sought his office, near br Where Courtship Alley ends. br br I used to sit with him, and smoke, br And talk of your blue eyes, br And argue how I best might act br To make your heart my prize. br br He always seemed to have much time br To hear me tell my joy, br So that I came to deem him but br An idle, lazy boy. br br But on St. Valentine his day, br I found him hard at work, br As if he had a mighty task br And did not dare to shirk; br br And o’er his head there hung a card br That made me haste away; br It bore these words— br Please make it short.