Christina Rossetti — No thank you John

I never said I loved you, John:         Why will you tease me, day by day, And wax a weariness to think upon         With always "do" and "pray"? You know I never loved you, John;         No fault of mine made me your toast: Why will you haunt me with a face as wan         As shows an hour-old ghost? I dare say Meg or Moll would take         Pity upon you, if you'd ask: And pray don't remain single for my sake         Who can't perform that task. I have no heart?--Perhaps I have not;         But then you're mad to take offence That I don't give you what I have not got:         Use your common sense. Let bygones be bygones:         Don't call me false, who owed not to be true: I'd rather answer "No" to fifty Johns         Than answer "Yes" to you. Let's mar our pleasant days no more,         Song-birds of passage, days of youth: Catch at to-day, forget the days before:         I'll wink at your untruth. Let us strike hands as hearty friends;         No more, no less: and friendship's good: Only don't keep in view ulterior ends,         And points not understood In open treaty. Rise above         Quibbles and shuffling off and on: Here's friendship for you if you like; but love,--         No, thank you, John.