THERE was an a May, and she lo'ed na men, 'When bonny young JOHNNY came o'er the sea, 'He had a wee Titty that lo'ed na me; Because I was twice as bonny as She! She rais'd sick a pother 'twixt him and his mother, That were ne my heart 's light, I wad dye! 'The day it was set, and the Bridal to be, 'His kin was for ane of a higher degree, "They said, "I had neither cow nor calf, 'The Maiden she was baith willy and slye. 'His bonnet stood ay fu' round on his brow, 'And now, he gaes drooping about the dykes; 'But young for thee as I ha' been, We shou'd ha' been galloping down in yon Green; And linking out o'er yon lilly-white Lee: And wow gin I were young for thee.' THE ADVICE. THE Lass that would know how to manage a man; Let her listen, and learn it from me! His courage to quail, or his heart to trepan, The Girl that has beauty, though small be her wit, The Rake may repel; or may draw in the Cit, When the powdered toupees, in crowds round her chat, Each striving his Passion to show; With Kiss me!' and 'Love me, my Dear!' and all that; Let her answer be still, 'No! No! No!' When a dose is contrived to lay virtue asleep, She still must refuse, if her empire she'd keep; · But when Master DAPPERWIT offers his hand, A house, and a coach, and a jointure in land; Whene'er she's attacked by a Youth full of charms, Whose courtship proclaims him a Man; When pressed to his bosom, and clasped in his arms, Then, let her say 'No,' if she can! THE THEFT. WHY are those charms by frowns disgraced, Since from your lips, with tim'rous haste, Too well I rue the hapless theft! I lost-Ah! no! My life is left, Sure, might I taste another such, Then, JULIA! take my parting breath Glut your revenge! and let my death VERSES TO A YOUNG LADY. POLLY! from me, though now a love-sick Youth, Nay, though a Poet, hear the voice of truth! POLLY! you're not a Beauty; yet you're pretty! So grave, yet gay! so silly, yet so witty! A heart of softness, yet a tongue of satire! You've cruelty; yet, e'en with that, good nature! Now you are free, and now reserved a while! Now a forced frown betrays a willing smile! Reproached for absence, yet your sight denied ; My tongue you silence, yet my silence chide! How would you praise me! should your Sex defame; Yet, should they praise, grow jealous and exclaim! If I despair, with some kind look you bless; But if I hope, at once all hope suppress! You scorn! yet should my Passion change, or fail; Too late, you'd whimper out a softer tale! You love! yet from your Lover's wish retire; Doubt, yet discern! deny, and yet desire! Such, POLLY! are your Sex! Part truth, part fiction; Some thought, much whim, and all a contradiction! |