St Valentine! be thou my muse,
To thee dear saint, I pray,
Erato, doth her aid refuse,
“Love” she says “claims the day.
Let friendship wait a future hour
At leisure, I may own her power!”
Forbid it, all the powers above!
Resist that all-usurping love,
Others may let him gain his ends,
My pen, my heart, is still my friend’s.
Mine is the tributary song
Oft raised to my dear Stella’s name
To her, I’ve seen amidst the Attic throng
Her bright eye kindling at the voice of fame.