If to awaken passion's flame And the shame

Of desire's ungraceful touch, Simply loving love too much. For less than game

Dare-do by another name; If to challenge modesty With modesty,

Making the silly heart take hope Over the

Unlikely outcome of what we May call, giving love its rope—

If to bring

Love down on wing:

No,

If to be always young and good;

If to stay boyish

And too coyish,

Like a babe lost in the wood,

If this is to offend,

Let's not pretend

That you're so young you cannot see

How much you have offended me.

Doyle Eugene Livingston

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