Be my Valentine

Oh lady fair, so haughty, and so coldly proud,
Entreat though I may, naught it seems, can ever pierce
The adamantine shell that guards your cruel soul,
And even my most honeyed words are all in vain.
However hard I strive to rise above the crowd
Of those that press about your feet, whose cries so fierce
Each clamour to be heard; and were I to enrol
The gods above, my suit would surely end in pain.

Alas I fear, my cause is doomed right from the start,
And other men with louder voice, and better claim,
Are better placed to woo you by their skilful art.
But I refrain to join them in their spiteful game,
For they desire to hold and bind you to their will,
And thus enslave you for their pleasure and delight,
Only to discard you when they have drunk their fill
Of your bright charms, to weep alone in darkest night.

This is my pledge, if for a moment you relent,
And grant my earnest wish, secretly to consent,
This festal day; allowing me to name you mine;
At that day's end, all future claims I will resign,
And from those tender bonds, to set you free again,
The world of men to rule, affecting to disdain
All who seek your soul to steal, knowing I alone,
Found words with guile enough to get within the stone.

In truth, I do not ask for much, no special place,
But though I send not gifts of silver or of gold,
Nor even as some do, a wreath of flowers fine;
Just for one day to gaze upon your lovely face,
Is all I wish, for it would give me joy untold
If you would only let me call you Valentine.