Page 36 - Poetry-Romance

SHE.
Oh, dear me, no! But, sir, you must not state
That he’s already on the Party slate!—
And do not say that I have told you this,
Or that I care for him!—swear on this kiss!—

CUPID.
Sweet Lady, I can “swear” the heavens blue
And I am free to say he swears by you!
The point is not, to swear my blue eyes dim,
But frankly this: will you swear thus by him?
If you refuse, ‘tis settled in a trice!—
Another Party calls him “very nice!”
SHE.
What, she!—O Cupid, hasn’t he more sense?
Her charms are all in the imperfect tense.
I will say this: He’s far too good a man,
To be entrapped by that sly Party’s plan.
He ought to join some Party of the best
Youth, beauty, taste, found either East or West;
Whose principles, both elegant and sound,
Are firmly based on such important ground
As strict reform of the Domestic Service—
But do not say that I have told you this,
Or know such Party—swear upon this kiss!
CUPID.
Sweet Lady, you’re that Party to the letter,
But he describes your virtues, more and better,
Then may I understand we quite agree?—
SHE.
Who has my suffrage asks on bended knee!
But do not say that I have told you this—

CUPID.
I “swear,” Sweet Lady, on a triple-kiss!

SHE.
Here’s “Hymen’s Times,” Feb. 14-’83;
I wonder what it says regarding me? —
GOOD GRACIOUS! —was there ever such a scandal!
He’s printed every word I said!—THE VANDAL!

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