Dictum Sapienti

THAT ’t is well to be off with the old love

Before one is on with the new

Has somehow passed into a proverb—

But I never have found it true.

No love can be quite like the old love,

Whate’er may be said for the new—

And if you dismiss me, my darling,

You may come to this thinking, too.

Were the proverb not wiser if mended,

And the fickle and wavering told

To be sure they’re on with the new love

Before they are off with the old?