The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.
Pierre Jean de Béranger (1780–1857)Lizzy’s Peccadilloes
L
E’en my wine, you may reign;
But ’tis martyrdom for me
To ask it in vain.
And if glasses you count
At my age, fickle jade—
Pray, have I ever counted
The slips you have made?
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!
All the tricks you devise:
Softly breathed are his words;
Deeply drawn are his sighs.
Of his tenderest hopes
I’m instructed by him—
Lest I scold you for this,
Fill at least to the brim!
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!
When I caught you at last,
You were tenderly counting
The kisses that passed.
To redouble their sum
Didn’t cause you much pain—
Come, for all of those kisses
Fill, fill up again!
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!
Mondor, free of his purse,
Plays with you in my presence,
Nor finds you averse.
Nay, I’ve seen him, grown bold,
Put his arm round your waist—
For a rascal so great
To the dregs let me taste!
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!
Your chamber one night,
Through the window a robber
On tiptoe take flight.
’Twas the rogue I had sent
From your parlor, that eve—
Come, a fresh bottle bring,
Lest too much I perceive.
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!
We’ve both the same friends;
Those of whom you are weary
My favor attends.
But, then, traitress, with them
You must let me drink deep;
Be my mistress for aye,
And our friends let us keep!
Ah, Liz, all along
You’ve deceived me—and yet
I would fain have a bumper,
To toast my grisette!