SILHOUETTE
I’ll button-hole old Villabobia,
Prating of bonnets and Zenobia—
Bombastes B and hydrophobia.
Of Fremont—Brutus (Junius Lucius)—
Seward—Scæzola (baptized Mutius)—
Of Mother Goose and Kean Confucius.
All womankind shall learn to rue it;
I’ll drench my locks with mutton suet,
And guard the corners—young men do it!
Upon reflection, I will not
Become an interesting sot,
And sprout a nasal apricot!
Philosophy shall be obeyed;
I’ll puff my meerschaum in the shade,
And live to see you an old maid!
A starch old maid with snuff and chat,
With crippled curls and—think of that—
A fusty parrot and—a cat!
Alack! and what shall I be then?
Perchance a Bedouin with men—
Perchance a starved wolf in my den.
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