You've changed the seal--you've changed it thrice:
Your first implied you loved:
How welcome was the dear device,
A thousand kisses proved.
Your next was love--it spoke the flame,
Yet scarce so plain methought--
I kiss'd it, wishing it the same
Your first sweet letter brought
The second change, was change indeed--
To friendship--Judge my bliss--
And did I kiss that seal--I did--
But 'twas a farewell kiss.
The third--nor love, nor friendship--There
Indeed love's dream should end--
As coldest stranger better far
Than lover turn'd to friend.
No kiss I gave that seal--no name--
Still dear--of thine it bore--
The signet, whence the impress came,
Perhaps a rival wore.
I smil'd to think 'twas so--'twas strange--
And have such cause to sigh--
How couldst thou--fairest creature--change?
O, wherefore could not I.
_Monthly Mag._
* * * * *
By a Parliamentary return it appears, that Kensington Palace cost the
public in 1828, 2,412_l_. 8_s_. 11_d_.; in 1829, 4,638_l_. 8_s_.; in
1830, 6,203_l_. 5_s_. 11_d_.; and in 183l, 3,921_l_. 15_s_. Hampton
Court in 1828, cost 4,430_l_. 19_s_. 5_d_.; in 1829, 5,964_l_. 13_s_.
1_d_.; in 1830, 4,144_l_. 2_s_. 4_d_.; and in 183l, 3,994_l_. 15_s_.
11_d_.--_Times_.
* * * * *