She has one

OH, when I was in love with you,
Then I was clean and brave,
And miles around the wonder grew
How well I did behave.

And now the fancy passes by,
And nothing will remain,
And miles around they'll say that I
Am quite myself again.

I know a thing that's most uncommon;
... (Envy, be silent and attend!)
I know a reasonable woman,
... Handsome and witty, yet a friend.

Not warp'd by passion, awed by rumour;
... Not grave through pride, nor gay through folly,
And equal mixture of good-humour
... And sensible soft melancoly.

"Has she no faults then (Envy says), Sir?"
... Yes, she has one, I must aver:
When all the world conspires to praise her,
... The woman's deaf, and does not hear.

 

Written by,

A. E. Housman