"The Poet's Corner..."

Love's Counterfeits

  Martha Lavinia Hoffman (1865-1900)

There's no invention underneath the sun

So basely counterfeited,

Its similes since first the world begun

Have half the race outwitted;

Like spurious coins in form and color true

Put into circulation,

These counterfeits are passing bright and new

Exact in imitation.

True love is like a coin, changeless and pure,

Bright from the mint of virtuous affection,

Whose solid worth lies in its gold secure

Stamped with the soul's reflection;

Though Time may mar with rude and hasty hands

Its brilliancy and beauty,

Its gold unspoiled beneath the surface stands

Alloyed with common duty.

False love is like the counterfeiter's coin,

A criminal deception,

Although a while its face like gold may shine

To close inspection,

Not long it needs the wear that must ensue

Its character to settle,

Its gilt departs and leaves exposed to view

Its worthless metal.

He who treads stealthily his secret dens

Of fraud and knavery dreaming,

For his own selfish, vicious, lawless ends

Another's ruin scheming,

He is the type, yet nobler is his art

Than his who makes to glitter

Base metal for the pure gold of the heart,

--Love's counterfeiter.