Verse by Taj Mahomed
When first I loved, I gave my very soulUtterly unreserved to Love’s control,But Love deceived me, wrenched my youth awayAnd made the gold of life for ever grey.Long I lived lonely, yet I tried in vainWith any other Joy to stifle pain;There is no other joy, I learned to know,And so returned to Love, as long ago.Yet I, this little while ere I go hence,Love very lightly now, in self-defence.