Lyra Elegantiarum, a Collection of Some of the Best Specimens of Vers de Société and Vers D'Occasion in the English Language, Ed. by F. Locker

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ...in sulky mood, to Thomas, "Have stole the very river from us." O, Scotland! long it has been said Thy teeth are sharp for English bread; What! seize our bread and water too, And use us worse than jailors do! 'Tis true 'tis hard! 'tis hard 'tis true! Ye friends of George, and friends of James, Envy us not our river Thames: The Princess, fond of raw-boned faces, May give you all our posts and places; Take all--to gratify your pride, But dip your oatmeal in the Clyde. Unknown. CCXIV. THE CONSTANT SWAIN AND VIRTUOUS MAID. Soon as the day begins to waste, Straight to the well-known door I haste, And, rapping there, I'm forced to stay While Molly hides her work with care, Adjusts her tucker and her hair, And nimble Becky scours away. Entering, I see in Molly's eyes A sudden smiling joy arise, As quickly check'd by virgin shame: She drops a curtsey, steals a glance, Receives a kiss, one step advance.--If such I love, am I to blame? I sit, and talk of twenty things, Of South Sea Stock, or death of kings, While only " Yes" or "No," says Molly; As cautious she conceals her thoughts, As others do their private faults: --Is this her prudence, or her folly? Parting, I kiss her lip and cheek, I hang about her snowy neck, And cry, ' Farewell, my dearest Molly!" Yet still I hang, and still I kiss, Ye learned sages, say, is this In me the effect of love, or folly? No--both by sober reason move, --. She prudence-shows, and I true love--No charge of folly can be laid. Then (till the marriage-rites proclaim'd Shall join our hands) let us be named The constant swain, and virtuous maid. Unknown. You say you love, --and twenty more Have sigh d, and said the same before. And yet I swear, I can't tell how, I ne'er believed a man...