TO MOLLY—AN APRIL FOOL.
Reading edition
By a Bachelor-in-Love (with Himself.)
You never, Molly, plucked the chances Last Leap Year brought of wedded rapture, (Since Flattery wins, where Beauty's glances Have failed to perpetrate a capture)?
You never wrote to crave my fortune That February! Bashful, may be, Or over-fearful to importune A parti so renowned, you gaby!
Imprudent damsel, to let slip So much insouciance and money! I bear no malice now, and dip This goosequill not in gall, but honey,
I supplicate thee to be mine, Bewitching Fair, thy lode-star mocking: To sweetest vengeance I incline. (Great Scott! the sacrifice is shocking!)
With you to share a gem unique, My best possession, foolish Molly, This is the penalty I seek, Dear fool of Spring, dear spring of Folly!
Yet, ere I give myself away, And abdicate on foolscap flimsy, Let me implore you, mark the day— Time-honoured feast of prank and whimsy.
Of my pet self, I offer half— To gain it myriads have endeavoured, So take it, take my photograph Inclosed, and most adroitly severed.