University of Virginia Library


37

TO MRS. AMES.

Her ball is fixed for Friday—
My angel wife exclaims;
May I believe the tidings?
Oh thank you, Mrs. Ames.

38

She has sent out her servant,
(I can't remember names)
Oh what do you call the fellow?
Your own man, Mrs. Ames.
John, Thomas, William, Robert,
Jehosophat, or James,
No matter—she has sent him
With cards from Mrs. Ames.
And he'll ride round the country
(Unless his nag he lames),
Inviting all the neighbourhood
To wait on Mrs. Ames.
I trust your cold is better.
Oh! vain were sportive games,
Unless you can enjoy them;
Then sneeze not, Mrs. Ames.
Take Ipecacuhana,
Or powders made by James
Take tea, and toast-and-butter
Take comfort, Mrs. Ames.
Shake off your influenza,
Most beautiful of dames;
For Gunter's man is coming.
Behold him, Mrs. Ames.
For needful preparations
The dining-room he claims;
We'll bivouac above stairs;
That's cosey, Mrs. Ames!
But I must tie my neckcloth;
I hear the people's names,
Announced by Payn, the butler,
Oh! Presto, Mrs. Ames.