Y dear Tomorrow,

I can think

Of little else to do,

And so I take my pen and ink

To drop a line to you.

I own that I am ill at ease

Respecting you to-day:

Do let me have an answer, please:

RÉpondez, s 'il vous plait.

I long to like you very much,

But that will all depend

On whether you behave "as such,"

(I mean, dear, as a friend).

I 'll set you quite an easy task

At which you are au fait;

You 'll come and bring me what I ask?

RÉpondez, s 'il vous plait.

Be sure to recollect your purse,

For be it understood

Though money-matters might be worse.

They 're very far from good.

So, if you have a little gold

You care to give away—

But am I growing over-bold?

RÉpondez, s'il vous plait.

A little—just a little—fame

You must contrive to bring,

Because I think a poet's name,

Would be a pleasant thing

Perhaps, though, as I've scarcely got

A single claim to lay

To such a gift, you'd rather not?

RÉpondez, s'il vous plait.

Well, well, Tomorrow, you may strike

A line through what 's above:

And bring me folks that I can like

And folks that I can love.

A warmer heart—a quicker brain—

I 'll ask for, if I may:

Tomorrow, shall I ask in vain?

RÉpondez, s'il vous plait