Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 4/Take warning

by N. Joseph

TAKE WARNING.

 

Once lived a comely maid who, proud
Of charms before which all men bow’d,
⁠Wax’d over scornful;
’Twas in those good old ages when
Our grandsires were but grandchildren,
But human nature now as then
⁠Of pride is born full.

Altho’ this maid to lovers’ prayer,
To lady-killer’s deep-laid snare,
⁠Bade bold defiance.
She ne’er intended to remain
A votary in Diana’s train,
But form with some well-favour’d swain
⁠A fit alliance.

Years glided by; full many a chime
Told new year’s eve when ruthless time
⁠Her charms invaded,
But thought she not of tell-tale streak
Which scarr’d her brow, of sunken cheek,
Of pallid lip, of voice grown weak,
⁠Attractions faded.

At length still fewer and more few,
Behold! aspiring suitors grew;
⁠At festive meeting
No more did youth on youth advance,
To claim her hand for distant dance,
Nor combat for one witching glance,
⁠With heart high-beating.

“Alas,” quoth she, “I’m sore perplex’d,
My beaux desert; the very next
⁠Whose means are ample,
Woos not in vain:” but ah! no more,
Did anxious lover seek her door.
Young ladies, in your bosoms store
⁠This sad example.

N. J.