Lady to me. — " May I request a
Short poem for my album? Just a-
'n odd verse or so; — I would suggest a
Theme light and pretty. "
" Lady, tho' I will do my best, ah!
I can't be witty. "

" And then the metre must be ortho-
dox; an accepted species, for tho'
Freedom's a great thing I abhor tho-
se preposterous verses.
You call it poetry, 'tis a bore tho',
And nothing worse is. "

" Herein I'll promise all I can too;
" Blank" is too heavy, makes you pant to
Read it; one's almost sure to rant too;
Heroics likewise;
Octosyllabic 's many a want too,
They always strike wise

People as much too lengthy, so I
Think I'll take Burns's measure, tho' I
'm almost afraid that I shall show I
've no skill to write it.
You do me honour, and you know I
Will try t' requite it. "

" O that will do as well as any. 'T
Will doubtless fill some pages when it
Is written. So you really mean it? "
" 'Twill give me pleasure
" And, may I ask, when will you pen it? "
" When I have leisure. "