Classic Poem

Clarinda coquettish and gay,
On a time was reprov'd by her aunt,
Your virtue will surely give way,
When so freely you treat a gallant.
Your actions more narrowly scan,
Consider your fortune and name,
To be seen so familiar with man,
You lay yourself open to blame.
Dear, madam, I own you are wise,
Thus pertly Clarinda reply'd,
But really it gives me surprise
To hear your fantastical pride.
When youth deck'd your cheeks with its bloom,
And nature was brisk in your veins,
I'll answer, like me, you'd presume,
To hear a fond youth breath his pains.
But now like the fox as we're told,
When attraction is not in your power,
And nature the grapes does withold,
Like Reynard you swear they are sower.
Then cease my dear madam — in truth,
Your prating will nothing avail,
When time has once prey'd on my youth,
Like you then, perhaps, I may rail.