William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.
A Lady to a Young CourtierDr. Henry Hughes (c. 1602c. 1652)
L
I’ve somewhat else to do;
Alas, you must go learn to talk,
Before you learn to woo.
Nay, fie! stand off, go to!
And newly come to Court;
D’ye think, your clothes are orators
T’ invite us to the sport?
Ha, Ha! Who will not jeer thee for’t.
Nor fiddle with your band;
We know, you trim your borrowed curls
To show your pretty hand.
But ’tis too young for to command.
And think each word a jest;
That’s the Court wit. Alas, you’re out,
To think when finely drest,
You please me, or the ladies, best.
Aye, marry, there’s a wit!
Who cares not what he says, or swears;
So ladies laugh at it;
Who can deny such blades a bit!