The Shasta Courier

Once upon a time a maiden
Sat beneath a hawthorn tree,
And her lover, close beside her,
Murmured vows of constancy.
Fairer, sweeter than the blossom
Hanging over her, was she:
And her heart, within her bosom,
Throbbed and glowed tumultuous.
Both were young and fond and foolish:
Neither rich, the story goes;
Ma was proud, and pa was mulish.
Great their love and great their woes;
So they kissed, and wept, and parted,
Swearing to be ever true.
Died the maiden broken-hearted?
Was the lover faithful, too?
Perhaps! she wed a wealthy banker,
(Slander whispers she was sold,)
And in city June-on-bank her,
With her pockets full of gold,
Queen at every ball and party,
Decked with lace and jewels rare,
Looking very fresh and hearty:
Reigns the victim of despair,
He—confound the lucky fellow—
Took a wife twice his years.
Fat and forty, ripe and mellow;
With a brace of 'little dears;'
Big plantation, servants plenty.
Splendid mansion, pomp and ease,
Cured the boyish love of twenty,
That incurable disease.
Learn from this, ye doating lovers,
In your anguish, not to break
Anything of greater value
Than the promises you make.
Hearts were made to put in motion
Blood that otherwise would clog,
Pleasure, profit and promotion,
Graduate at Cupid's college.