Light as the waves foaming white on the bar,
We dance to the mandolin, harp, and guitar;
One, two, three, waltzing we glide round the room,--
Would you were bride, and ah, would I were groom!
On all the seashore none fairer than you;
What but adore you could any one do?
Cheeks like the pink of an evening sky,
Eyes that might bid a man laughingly die.
Ears like the shells from the Indian sea,
Teeth like white buds on a young apple-tree,
Throat like a lily bent heavy with dew,
Arms just as white and as lily-like too.
Lips that would tempt--ah! you'll pardon me now,
Being so near them suggests, you'll allow,
That the happiest thing e'er a mortal could do,
Would be to be ever thus waltzing with you.
She Is Mine.
There's a sparkle in her eye
That no millionnaire can buy.
If they think so, let them try--
She's divine.
There's a blush upon her cheek
Like the peach-tree's blossom, eke,
Like red willows by the creek,
Or like wine.
She has roses in her hair.
It was I who put them there.
Really, did I ever dare--
Is she mine?
Or is it all a dream,--
Idle poet's empty theme
Put in words that make it seem
Superfine?
No; for see upon her hand
There's a little golden band,--
Filigree work, understand,
Like a vine;
And a perfect solitaire
Fits upon it. The affair
Cost two hundred. I don't care!
She is mine.
Old Times.
Ah, good old times of belles and beaux,
Of powdered wigs and wondrous hose,
Of stately airs and careful grace,
Look you at our degenerate race.
No more the gallant spends his time
In writing of his love in rhyme;
No more he lives unconscious of
All earthly things save war and love.
We modern men have toils and cares
To streak our pates with whitened hairs,
And have to crowd our love and all
Into one short and weekly call.
Of My Love.
Was ever a moon
In joyous June
As royal, radiant, rare as she,
With her smiling lips,
As she lightly trips
Down through the autumn woods to me?
Never a queen
On her throne, I ween,
Had such a loyal slave as I.
Ready to bear
All her cares, I swear,
Just for a fleeting kiss on the sly.
Oh for the day
We gallop away
To the curate's cottage, Gretna Green;
Side by side,
Groom and bride,
Happy twenty and sweet sixteen!
The Farewell.
Not going abroad? What, to-morrow,
And to stay, goodness knows for how long?
Really, Jack, 'twould appear that dry sorrow
Had done even you, sir, a wrong.
It has? Ha, ha, ha! What a joke, sir!
Is it Mabel or Jenny or Nell?
I'm sure you are wrong,--hold my cloak, sir,--
Am I not an old friend? Come now, tell.
The prince of our set broken-hearted!
What a joke! Who rejected you? Speak!
Did you look like that, Jack, when you parted?
Was that pallor of death on your cheek?
You interest me. Tell me about it;
And let your old chum, sir, console.
Hard hit in the heart. I don't doubt it;
You were made for that sort of a rôle.
Did you bend on your knee, like an actor,
Hardly knowing just where to begin?
Was dear mamma's consent the main factor?
What a fool the poor girl must have been!
Who was she? What!--I?--You were jealous?
O, Jack, who'd have thought such a thing?
You've been certainly not over-zealous.
But kiss me--and where is the ring?
The Last Dance.