Classic Poem

The Colonel! — Such a creature!
I met him at the ball! —
So fair in form and feature.
And so divinely tall!
He praised my dimpled cheeks and curls,
While whirling through the dance,
And matched me with the dark-eyed girls
Of Italy and France!

He said, in accents thrilling —
Love's boundless as the sea;
And I, dear maid, am willing
To give up all for thee! "
I heard him — blushed — " Would ask mamma " —
And then my eyes grew dim!
He looked — I said, " Mamma — papa —
I'd give up all for him! "

My governor is rich and old;
This well the Colonel knew.
" Love's wings, " he said, " when fringed with gold,
Are beautiful to view! "
I thought his 'havior quite the ton,
Until I saw him stare
When merely told that — brother — John —
Papa — would — make — his — heir!

Next day and the day after
I dressed for him in vain;
Was moved to tears and laughter —
He never came again!
But I have heard, for Widow Dash
He bought the bridal ring;
And he will wed her for her cash —
The ugly, hateful thing!