To Anne

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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.

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.

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.

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.

© George Gordon Byron