George Augustus Baker, Jr.

        The débutantes are in force to-night,
            Sweet as their roses, pure as truth;
        Dreams of beauty in clouds of tulle;
            Blushing, fair in their guileless youth.
        Flashing bright glances carelessly
            Carelessly, think you! Wait and see
        How their sweetest smile is kept for him
            Whom "mother" considers a good parti.

        For the matrons watch and guard them well
            Little for youth or love care they;
        The man they seek is the man with gold,
            Though his heart be black, and his hair be gray.
        "Nellie, how could you treat him so!
            You know very well he is Goldmore's heir,"
        "Jennie, look modest! Glance down and blush,
     ...

        "Love your neighbor as yourself,"
            So the parson preaches;
        That's one-half the Decalogue.
            So the Prayer-book teaches.
        Half my duty I can do
            With but little labor,
        For with all my heart and soul
            I do love my neighbor.

        Mighty little credit, that,
            To my self-denial;
        Not to love her, though, might be
            Something of a trial,
        Why, the rosy light, that peeps
            Through the glass above her,
        Lingers round her lips: you see
            E'en the sunbeams love her.

        So to make my merit more,
            I'll go beyond the letter;
        Love my neighbor as myself?
            Yes, and ten times bet...