MANUSCRIPT: There are three, two fair copies and a worksheet draft from which they derive, all written in the spring or early summer of 1881. That reproduced above (BPL Higg 45) was one of four poems enclosed in a letter (Porter) to T. W. Higginson. Each of the four ED has identified in the letter by title (see Letters, ed. 1931 only, 314). This she named "Cupid's Sermon." The other fair copy (Bingham 98-3-18) is identical in text and form with the copy to Higginson. The worksheet draft (Bingham 98-3-17) shows the poem in its first state:

Mine Enemy is growing old -
I have at last revenge -
The Palate of the Hate departs -
If any would avenge
Let him be quick -
The Viand flits -
It is a faded Meat -
Anger as soon as fed - is dead -
'Tis starving makes it fat -

I. Mine Enemy] My Foe-        7. faded Meat] phantom Meat-
6] The Banquet cools-

With love, for Supper-if deferred it will fade like Ice Cream.

PUBLICATION: Poems (1891), 67, titled "Time's Lesson." It follows the text and form of the fair copies.