Byron's Poetical Works, Volume 1

1.

  Oh, Anne, your offences to me have been grievous: 
  I thought from my wrath no atonement could save you;
  But Woman is made to command and deceive us—­
  I look’d in your face, and I almost forgave you.

2.

  I vow’d I could ne’er for a moment respect you,
    Yet thought that a day’s separation was long;
  When we met, I determined again to suspect you—­
    Your smile soon convinced me suspicion was wrong.

3.

  I swore, in a transport of young indignation,
    With fervent contempt evermore to disdain you: 
  I saw you—­my anger became admiration;
    And now, all my wish, all my hope’s to regain you.

4.

  With beauty like yours, oh, how vain the contention! 
    Thus lowly I sue for forgiveness before you;—­
  At once to conclude such a fruitless dissension,
    Be false, my sweet Anne, when I cease to adore you!

January 16, 1807. [First published, 1832.]

[Footnote 1:  Miss Anne Houson.]