University of Virginia Library

“The Duke not married!”—“Nor will ever;—
He thinks the ladies much too clever!”
“'Tis pity—handsome, showy, young,
And, 'pon my life, he has a tongue!
His Thursday evenings so select—
I'll live to see him yet henpeck'd.”
No Duke must drone it in our hive.”
“The girl's not born that he will wive.
Though hundreds, M---, L---, and H---,
Strive his philosophy to unlock;
Though all the speculating mothers,
Have put themselves in various pothers,
And, spite of his Spitzbergen looks,
Still set their hearts on little Dukes;
Cool as his favourite limonade,
He smiles on mother and on maid—
A frozen Anti-Benedict!”
“My word upon it, he'll be trick'd;—
Nay, if I thought it worth my while—”
“You'd make him any thing but smile.
Ay—torture, teaze, and tantalize;
I know the power of those bright eyes;
Round all his haughty spirit twine,
And make his chains—as charmed as mine!”
“Ah wretch! you know I hate this talk,
So very à la moonlight walk.”
“If thoughts as fond as ever vow'd,”—
“My Lord, pray recollect the crowd:
Truth is, those noble waifs and strays
Are open in a thousand ways:
Let but the one but smile her wishes,
All's over with the C---nd---sh's!”
“What! not one look—one last, kind word?”
“Oh, hang it! you grow quite absurd;
And that old monster's eye insidious,—
To-day particularly hideous!—
Seems hearing every word you say;
Begone! the duchess gives a play;—
La Porte, St. Ange, and all the rest:—
Those things are growing quite a pest!”
“There may I venture to encroach?”
“You'll do to hand us from our coach:”
“Till then, farewell! (there goes my Juliet)
Farewell! (I'll make you play the fool yet.)”