Answer to the Inquiry Why I Sighed

Before no mortal ever knew

A love like mine so tender, true,

Completely wretched—you away,

And but half blessed e’en while you stay.

If present love . . . face

Deny you to my fond embrace

No joy unmixed my bosom warms

But when my angel’s in my arms.

—Poem from Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, found in a locket she wore around her neck until she died