Volume Ii Part 61 (1/2)

”THE TIME I'VE LOST IN WOOING”

The time I've lost in wooing, In watching and pursuing The light that lies In woman's eyes, Has been my heart's undoing.

Though Wisdom oft has sought me, I scorned the lore she brought me,-- My only books Were women's looks, And folly's all they taught me.

Her smile when Beauty granted, I hung with gaze enchanted, Like him the sprite Whom maids by night Oft meet in glen that's haunted.

Like him, too, Beauty won me; But when the spell was on me, If once their ray Was turned away, O! winds could not outrun me.

And are those follies going?

And is my proud heart growing Too cold or wise For brilliant eyes Again to set it glowing?

No--vain, alas! th' endeavor From bonds so sweet to sever;-- Poor Wisdom's chance Against a glance Is now as weak as ever.

Thomas Moore [1779-1852]

DEAR f.a.n.n.y

”She has beauty, but you must keep your heart cool; She has wit, but you mustn't be caught so”: Thus Reason advises, but Reason's a fool, And 'tis not the first time I have thought so, Dear f.a.n.n.y, 'Tis not the first time I have thought so.

”She is lovely; then love her, nor let the bliss fly; 'Tis the charm of youth's vanis.h.i.+ng season”; Thus Love has advised me, and who will deny That Love reasons better than Reason, Dear f.a.n.n.y Love reasons much better than Reason.

Thomas Moore [1779-1852]

A CERTAIN YOUNG LADY

There's a certain young lady, Who's just in her hey-day, And full of all mischief, I ween; So teasing! so pleasing!

Capricious! delicious!

And you know very well whom I mean.

With an eye dark as night, Yet than noonday more bright, Was ever a black eye so keen?

It can thrill with a glance, With a beam can entrance, And you know very well whom I mean.

With a stately step--such as You'd expect in a d.u.c.h.ess-- And a brow might distinguish a queen, With a mighty proud air, That says ”touch me who dare,”

And you know very well whom I mean.

With a toss of the head That strikes one quite dead, But a smile to revive one again; That toss so appalling!

That smile so enthralling!

And you know very well whom I mean.

Confound her! de'il take her!-- A cruel heart-breaker-- But hold! see that smile so serene.

G.o.d love her! G.o.d bless her!

May nothing distress her!