The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 1/Reply to some Verses of J. M. B. Pigot, Esq., on the Cruelty of his Mistress
REPLY TO SOME VERSES OF J. M. B. PIGOT, ESQ., ON THE CRUELTY OF HIS MISTRESS.[1]
1.
Why, Pigot, complain
Of this damsel's disdain,
Why thus in despair do you fret?
For months you may try,
Yet, believe me, a sigh[2]
Will never obtain a coquette.
2.
Would you teach her to love?
For a time seem to rove;
At first she may frown in a pet;
But leave her awhile,
She shortly will smile,
And then you may kiss your coquette.
3.
For such are the airs
Of these fanciful fairs,
They think all our homage a debt:
Yet a partial neglect[3]
Soon takes an effect,
And humbles the proudest coquette.
4.
Dissemble your pain,
And lengthen your chain,
And seem her hauteur to regret;[4]
If again you shall sigh,
She no more will deny,
That yours is the rosy coquette.
5.
If still, from false pride,[5]
Your pangs she deride,
This whimsical virgin forget;
Some other admire,
Who will melt with your fire,
And laugh at the little coquette.
6.
For me, I adore
Some twenty or more,
And love them most dearly; but yet,
Though my heart they enthral,
I'd abandon them all,
Did they act like your blooming coquette.
7.
No longer repine,
Adopt this design,[6]
And break through her slight-woven net!
Away with despair,
No longer forbear
To fly from the captious coquette.
8.
Then quit her, my friend!
Your bosom defend,
Ere quite with her snares you're beset:
Lest your deep-wounded heart,
When incens'd by the smart,
Should lead you to curse the coquette.
- ↑ [The letters "C. B. F. J. B. M." are added, in a lady's hand, in the annotated copy of P. on V. Occasions, p. 14 (British Museum).]
- ↑ But believe me.—[4to]
- ↑ But a partial.—[4to]
- ↑ Nor seem.—[4to. P. on V. Occasions.]
- ↑ But if from false pride.—[4to]
- ↑ But form this design.—[4to]
- ↑ Byron, October 27, 1806.—[4to]