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Title: Lake Mahopac--Saturday Night
Author: George Augustus Baker [
More Titles by Baker]
"Yes, I'm here, I suppose you're delighted:
You'd heard I was not coming down!
Why I've been here a week!--'rather early'--
I know, but it's horrid in town
A Boston? Most certainly, thank you.
This music is perfectly sweet;
Of course I like dancing in summer;
It's warm, but I don't mind the heat.
The clumsy thing! Oh! how he hurt me!
I really can't dance any more--
Let's walk--see, they're forming a Lancers;
These square dances are such a bore.
My cloak--oh! I really don't need it--
Well, carry it,--so, in the folds--
I hate it, but Ma made me bring it;
She's frightened to death about colds.
This is rather cooler than dancing.
They're lovely piazzas up here;
Those lanterns look sweet in the bushes,
It's lucky the night is so clear.
I am rather tired--in this corner?--
Very well, if you like--I don't care--
But you'll have to sit on the railing--
You see there is only one chair.
'So long since you've seen me'--oh, ages!--
Let's see, why it's ten days ago--
'Seems years'--oh! of course--don't look spooney--
It isn't becoming, you know.
How bright the stars seem to-night, don't they?
What was it you said about eyes?
How sweet!--why you must be a poet--
One never can tell till he tries.
Why can't you be sensible, Harry!
I don't like men's arms on my chair.
Be still! if you don't stop this nonsense
I'll get up and leave you;--so there!
Oh! please don't--I don't want to hear it--
A boy like you talking of love.
'My answer!'--Well, sir, you shall have it--
Just wait till I get off my glove.
See that?--Well, you needn't look tragic,
It's only a solitaire ring,--
Of course I am 'proud of it'--very--
It's rather an elegant thing.
Engaged!--yes--why, didn't you know it?
I thought the news must have reached here--
Why, the wedding will be in October--
The 'happy man'--Charley Leclear.
Now don't blame me--I tried to stop you--
But you would go on like a goose;
I'm sorry it happened--forget it--
Don't think of it--don't--what's the use?
There's somebody coming--don't look so--
Get up on the railing again--
Can't you seem as if nothing had happened?
I never saw such geese as men!
Ah, Charley, you've found me! A galop?
The 'Bahn frei?' Yes; take my bouquet--
And my fan, if you will--now I'm ready--
You'll excuse me, of course, Mr. Gray."
[The end]
George Augustus Baker's poem: Lake Mahopac--Saturday Night
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