title: A Valentine
author: Henry Livingston Jr.
date: 1786
source: Henry Livingston's manuscript poetry book (Thomas Collection; scans and transcription on henrylivingston.com) (dated "1786. Feb: 14"). URL: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/valentine.htm (fetched via https://web.archive.org/web/20250421163230/http://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/valentine.htm)
form: trochaic tetrameter
lines: 22
attribution: certain
notes: Light; in the voice of a maiden to "Dearest Willy". Site heading/headnote: A Valentine | 1786. Feb: 14 MS scan: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/doublepages/doublepage30-31.htm

WELLCOME wellcome happy day
Wherein love-sick maidens may
Unrestrained tell their swains
All their fondness - all their pains.
Honest truth we may declare
Only once within a year --
Cruel custom ties us down
To this day & this alone.

Dearest Willy now believe me
Tho my frowns might long deceive you
When your ardent suit you press'd
All was tumult in my breast.
Trembling on my faultring tongue
Soft confessions often hung.

Charming fellow, when you sigh'd
All the pride within me dy'd
And it was with much ado
I could stammer no no no.

Now dear shepherd all is over
I will meet thee as a lover!
Pleased - I will freely bless
And right willing cry yes yes!