| |
| I ASKED of Echo, t’ other day, | |
| (Whose words are few and often funny,) | |
| What to a novice she could say | |
| Of courtship, love, and matrimony. | |
| Quoth Echo, plainly,—“Matter-o’-money!” | 5 |
| |
| Whom should I marry?—should it be | |
| A dashing damsel, gay and pert, | |
| A pattern of inconstancy; | |
| Or selfish, mercenary flirt? | |
| Quoth Echo, sharply,—“Nary flirt!” | 10 |
| |
| What if, aweary of the strife | |
| That long has lured the dear deceiver, | |
| She promise to amend her life, | |
| And sin no more; can I believe her? | |
| Quoth Echo, very promptly,—“Leave her!” | 15 |
| |
| But if some maiden with a heart | |
| On me should venture to bestow it, | |
| Pray, should I act the wiser part | |
| To take the treasure or forego it? | |
| Quoth Echo, with decision,—“Go it!” | 20 |
| |
| But what if, seemingly afraid | |
| To bind her fate in Hymen’s fetter, | |
| She vow she means to die a maid, | |
| In answer to my loving letter? | |
| Quoth Echo, rather coolly,—“Let her!” | 25 |
| |
| What if, in spite of her disdain, | |
| I find my heart intwined about | |
| With Cupid’s dear delicious chain | |
| So closely that I can’t get out? | |
| Quoth Echo, laughingly,—“Get out!” | 30 |
| |
| But if some maid with beauty blest, | |
| As pure and fair as Heaven can make her, | |
| Will share my labor and my rest | |
| Till envious Death shall overtake her? | |
| Quoth Echo (sotto voce),—“Take her!” | 35 |
| |
