TO MY COUSIN ANNE BODHAM, ON RECEIVING FROM HER A PURSE, by WILLIAM COWPERPoet AnalysisPoet's Biography
First Line: My gentle anne, whom heretofore Last Line: The best things kept within it.
MY gentle Anne, whom heretofore, When I was young, and thou no more Than plaything for a nurse, I danced and fondled on my knee, A kitten both in size and glee! I thank thee for my purse.
Gold pays the worth of all things here; But not of love:--that gem 's too dear For richest rogues to win it; I, therefore, as a proof of love, Esteem thy present far above The best things kept within it.