University of Virginia Library


114

THE ROSE'S LAMENT.

Another summer-time has gone, where all the seasons go—
The autumn winds will soon be here, and whistle to and fro;
The drooping leaves, in gaudy sheaves, have closed their fall display,
And shown that everything must have its night, as well as day.
The winter peers, O Mamma, from its icy parapet,
And I—a bleak and lonely flower—have not been gathered yet!
When summer came, you recollect, we left the town behind,
And fished along the fertile sea, to see what I could find:
I hooked Adolphus Arthur Jenckes, and played on him awhile

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My swellest gowns and bathing-suits, and best assorted smile.
But when I brought him safe to land, 'twas with new-opened eyes:
Young Mr. Jenckes proved and was proved a barber in disguise!
We found a most divine hotel, with all our plans in tune,
Where eligible men at hops were thick as leaves in June;
I dawdled round with three young shrimps, and mildly was enraged,
To find that every one of them was several times engaged!
When earnestness has been cajoled, the one that suffered weeps:
It's hard to do the flirting-game, when one must play at keeps!
We went where people who are sick pursue a jolly round,
And drink such portions of the sea as bubble from the ground;

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We stepped into a boarding-house tumultuously serene,
And where I made myself, I thought, quite proper to be seen.
Ralph's diamonds proposed to me—no rivalship I feared—
Until, you recollect, Mamma, his second wife appeared.
And then, that millionaire—oh my! we wandered by the lake,
And I fell in, before his eyes, by pre-arranged mistake:
Allowed myself to consciousness restored, when best 'twould be,
And thought, “He's saved my life! of course he'll have to marry me!”
How I to my preserver clung, with all the strength I had!
But 'twasn't the millionaire:—'twas poor old unexpected Dad.
I've had to take, you know, since first from maidenhood I grew,

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Three tucks within my age, Mamma, and there's another due;
Unless the angels intervene, I fear 'twill never be,
That Hymen crosses o'er my path, and swings his torch at me.
I'll try once more next summer: when, if something doesn't befall,
I'll think I'll have to go through life an “Auntie”, after all.