The Wisest of the Wise

The wisest of the wise
Listen to pretty lies
And love to hear 'em told.
Doubt not that Solomon
Listen'd to many a one,
Some in his youth and more when he grew old.
I never was among
The choir of Wisdom's song,
But pretty lies loved I
As much as any king,
When youth was on the wing,
And (must it then be told?) when youth had quite gone by.
Alas! and I have not
The pleasant hour forgot
When one pert lady said
" O Walter! I am quite
Bewilder'd with affright!
I see (sit quiet now) a white hair on your head."
Another more benign
Snipt it away from mine,
And in her own dark hair
Pretended it was found . . .
She lept, and twirl'd it round . .
Fair as she was, she never was so fair.