Classic Poem

Passez, jeunes filles.

Heavens! what a bevy, young and fair,
Flits to and fro before me there!
In Spring they've all a jaunty air:
All? hold, I've had my day!
I'll tell them, o'er and o'er, my age;
Hearts will be rash in life's first stage:
I'll don the mantle of a sage —
Away, young girls, away!

Look, Zoe eyes me! Don't you tell —
But, Zoe, your mamma knows well,
When called to meet her by Love's spell,
If I the laggard play
Severe her calls on lovers are —
Love's nothing if not pushed too far —
Follow the counsels of mamma!
Away, young girls, away!

Your grandmamma passed down to me,
Dear, gentle Laura, Love's decree;
And though ten years my senior, she
Still prompts me to obey
Tempt me not, Laura, if you please,
Or in saloon, or 'neath the trees —
Grandma' with eye still jealous sees —
Away, young girls, away!

What, Rose, you 're smiling on me too!
Did nought befall you? is it true,
That a high-born gallant with you
One night was caught astray?
But to the morning night gives place —
You, husband-hunting, gaily race —
I'm still too young for you to chase —
Away, young girls, away!

Haste, haste away! fair madcaps, go!
Soft genial fires within you glow;
Ah! lest on me a spark you throw,
Take heed, take heed, I say.
Passing a powder-magazine,
Whose walls by Time are sapped I ween,
Up with the hand your light to screen!
Away, young girls, away!