FLIRTATION.

Yes, leave my side to flirt with Maude,

To gaze into her eyes,

To whisper in her ear sweet words,

And low impassioned sighs;

And though she give you glance for glance,

And smile and scheme and plot,

You cannot raise a jealous thought,

I know you love her not.

Now turn to laughing Lulu,

That Witty, gay coquette,

With her teeth of shining pearl,

Her eyes and hair of jet:

With a mirthful smile imprison

Her hand within your own,

And softly press it — what care I?

You love but me alone.

To Ida's chair you wander,

You're bending o'er her now,

Until your own dark curls have brushed

Against her queenly brow;

In vain she strives to bind you

With fascinating spell;

For if sharply now I suffer,

You suffer too as well.

This fit of gay coquetry

Is meant, ah! well I know

To avenge my quiet flirting

At our ball a night ago,

With that winning, handsome stranger,—

Remember, Harry dear,

‘ Twas yourself who introduced him,

Yourself who brought him here.

Let us cease this cruel warfare,

Come back to me again!

Ah, what do we reap from flirting

But heartaches, mutual pain?

You'll forgive my past shortcomings —

Be tender as of yore

And we both will make a promise

To henceforth flirt no more.