The Colonel.

The Colonel!--Such a creature!
    I met him at the ball!--
So fair in form and feature,
    And so divinely tall!
He praised my dimpled cheeks and curls,
    While whirling through the dance,
And matched me with the dark-eyed girls
    Of Italy and France!

He said, in accents thrilling--
    "Love's boundless as the sea;
And I, dear maid, am willing
    To give up all for thee!"
I heard him--blushed--"Would ask mamma"--
    And then my eyes grew dim!
He looked--I said, "Mamma--papa--
    I'd give up all for him!"

My governor is rich and old;
    This well the Colonel knew.
"Love's wings," he said, "when fringed with gold,
    Are beautiful to view!"
I thought his 'havior quite the ton,
    Until I saw him stare
When merely told that--brother--John--
    Papa--would--make--his--heir!

Next day and the day after
    I dressed for him in vain;
Was moved to tears and laughter--
    He never came again!
But I have heard, for Widow Dash
    He bought the bridal ring;
And he will we her for her cash--
    The ugly, hateful thing!