Читать книгу The Lazy Minstrel - Ashby-Sterry Joseph - Страница 8

TO Town, about the close of dull November,

Up comes the Country Cousin, pray remember, —

The Cattle Show to visit in December!

Her winsome, watchet eyes, they are the sweetest,

Her chaussure and her gloves they are the neatest,

Her toilette you'll consider the completest.

She's pretty, piquante, pouting, and capricious;

So dainty, dimpled, daring, and delicious:

She's joyful, and she's jaunty and judicious.

She loves to hear the latest tittle-tattle;

On manners, music, crinoline, and cattle,

And pictures, peers and poets will she prattle!

She often goes out shopping with her Mother,

The Park she sometimes visits with her Brother —

She'd much prefer to stroll there with Another!

The gay Mikado music sets her humming —

And how she likes the Temple kettle-drumming,

With those who love to go chrysanthemumming!

She has no views on "rights" or vivisection,

Finds politics a nuisance on reflection —

To bores she has a most supreme objection!

Delight she takes in anything that's merry,

She dearly loves a pleasant lunch chez Verrey,

And much prefers dry Pommery to sherry!

She rattles through a picture exhibition,

Then goes to see a circus or magician,

And does a morning concert in addition!

Of theatres, you'll find, she'll ne'er grow weary;

Each night she'll go – let plays be good or dreary —

And sit them through, still looking bright and cheery!

She can't e'en rest 'twixt Saturday and Monday,

But in a hansom – despite Mrs. Grundy —

She drives down to the Abbey on a Sunday!

She's bright each morn – as fresh as any daisy —

And when with seeing sights I'm nearly crazy,

She says I am "incorrigibly lazy!"

But when one morn from Euston she has started —

Those eyelids drooped a wee bit when we parted —

I certainly feel dismal and down-hearted.

That merry whirling time at last is ended! —

And as for hearts? Pooh! pooh! I'm feeling splendid.

"Least said," the proverb hints, "is soonest mended."