 | The complete poetical writings of J. G. Holland |  |
OLD AND BLIND.
Gallant Gray-beard, can't you see
You unconscionable bat, you—
While you play the devotee,
That the girl is laughing at you?
You unconscionable bat, you—
While you play the devotee,
That the girl is laughing at you?
You were handsome in your day,
You are well preserved and thrifty,
And your manners, one may say,
Are superb, but—you are fifty!
You are well preserved and thrifty,
And your manners, one may say,
Are superb, but—you are fifty!
Don't be foolish, now you're old,
Flirting in this feeble fashion,
Trying on a hearth grown cold
To re-light a boyish passion.
Flirting in this feeble fashion,
Trying on a hearth grown cold
To re-light a boyish passion.
You have had your day of youth,
With its tender freaks and fancies;
You have known a woman's truth,
And have lived Love's sweet romances.
With its tender freaks and fancies;
You have known a woman's truth,
And have lived Love's sweet romances.
502
Ay, I know her lips are red;
True, her curls are black and glossy;
Yes, she bears a dainty head,
And her eyes are sweet and saucy.
True, her curls are black and glossy;
Yes, she bears a dainty head,
And her eyes are sweet and saucy.
But she knows you act a part,
While you try to tease and please her,—
Knows, Old Make-Believe, your heart
Is as dead as Julius Cæsar;—
While you try to tease and please her,—
Knows, Old Make-Believe, your heart
Is as dead as Julius Cæsar;—
Knows it, though a simple girl,
And is laughing while you linger;—
Knows it well, and, like a curl,
Winds you round her jeweled finger!
And is laughing while you linger;—
Knows it well, and, like a curl,
Winds you round her jeweled finger!
But if you must act a part;
If you cannot drop you feigning,
Feign you have not in your heart
Such a thing as love remaining.
If you cannot drop you feigning,
Feign you have not in your heart
Such a thing as love remaining.
Come and stand with me, my friend,—
She'll permit you—never doubt her!
Do as I do, and pretend
Not to care a fig about her!
She'll permit you—never doubt her!
Do as I do, and pretend
Not to care a fig about her!
| The complete poetical writings of J. G. Holland | |