The Poplar

Ay, here stands the Poplar, so tall and so stately,
On whose tender rind--'twas a little one then--
We carved her initials; though not very lately--
We think in the year eighteen hundred and ten.

Yes, here is the G which proclaimed Georgiana;
Our heart's empress then; see, 'tis grown all askew;
And it's not without grief we perforce entertain a
Conviction, it now looks much more like a Q.

This should be the great D too, that once stood for Dobbin,
Her lov'd patronymic--ah! can it be so?
Its once fair proportions, time too has been robbing;
A D?--we'll be Deed if it isn't an O!

Alas! how the soul sentimental it vexes,
That thus on our labours stern Chronos should frown;
Should change our soft liquids to izzards and X es,
And turn true-love's alphabet all upside down!