University of Virginia Library

THE PET.

A STAGE-COACH INCIDENT.

Some dear little fellow she chattered about,
Whom she was to call for, and take on her route;
“The sweet little creature, my precious, my own—
The darling!—I wonder how much he has grown!
They've taught him some clever accomplishments here;—
I long to behold him, the dear little dear!
With his dark, melting eyes, and his curling silk hair—
If I dont see him soon, I shall die, I declare!
They say that his bow's the perfection of grace;
And there's such an expression of soul in his face!
The contour of his head is allowed to be fine;
And his nose!—oh! it is absolutely divine!
And then so bewitching his eloquent whine,
When he puts his (I thought she said “hand”) into mine.
I have taught him to kiss me so cunning and sweet—
You'll see how he does it as soon as we meet.
You know Lady Seraphine Languish—they say
She has hers washed in lavender three times a day;
And the nurse, who is hired on purpose to hold it,
Says her orders are never to teaze or to scold it.
Every morning she takes the pet out with her lady,
To walk in the park where it's pleasant and shady.
Lady Languish's plans I should scorn to be stealing,
But the world shall not say I am wanting in feeling;
And if Sir Astley Cooper dont think it is wrong,
Eugenio shall bathe in ‘Boquet de haut ton.’
Some people, I'm told, really laugh at my whim
In making so petted a darling of him:
Thank heaven! my heart is more gentle and tender,
(And tears, as she spoke, dimmed her eye's sunny splendour):
Do you know, that last year, when I lay at death's door,
And physicians and friends thought that all hope was o'er,—
When my husband and little Louisa, you know—
My youngest—whom every one's spoiling so;
When they were forbidden to enter the room,
Lest the sound of a whisper should hasten my doom,—
My darling Eugenio close to me crept,
With a look of such pathos that I could have wept!”
Overcome by emotion, or failing in breath,
She paus'd; and reflecting, I sigh'd while I smil'd,
For I thought, the poor boy will be petted to death—
What a pity to spoil so enchanting a child!
But while I mus'd thus, the coach stopp'd at a gate;
Now, said I, I shall see all these infantine charms:
The lady leaned forward, with rapture elate,
And a nice little—lap-dog! jumped into her arms!