 | The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 |  |
71
Occasioned by Some Remarks on the Word “Prancing,” in the Preceding by Three Scrupulous Ladies
Three prudes, a poet's work perusing,Begun, at once, his rhymes abusing:
“Sure, 'tis enough, for girls to dance!
But here, this poet makes them prance;
Like actresses, arrived from France!”
“Deliver us from such wretched stuff;
Sir, write no more:—we've read enough.”
The poet hangs his head awhile,
Looks up, then answers with a smile:
“Ladies! your criticism's just:
I'll change the phrase: I will: I must!
For who, that ever had a glance
At your bright eyes, ere saw them prance!
Though even now, I see them dance.”
A smile, at once, lights up their faces,
And now, the prudes are changed to graces.
May, 1816
| The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 | |