Mrs. Smith

Last year I trod these fields with Di,
And that's the simple reason why
They now seem arid:
Then Di was fair and single--how
Unfair it seems on me--for now
Di's fair, and married.

In bliss we roved. I scorned the song
Which says that though young Love is strong
The Fates are stronger:
Then breezes blew a boon to men--
Then buttercups were bright--and then
This grass was longer.

That day I saw, and much esteemed
Di's ankles--which the clover seemed
Inclined to smother:
It twitched, and soon untied (for fun)
The ribbons of her shoes--first one,
And then the other.

'Tis said that virgins augur some
Misfortune if their shoestrings come
To grief on Friday:
And so did Di--and so her pride
Decreed that shoestrings so untied,
"Are so untidy!"

Of course I knelt--with fingers deft
I tied the right, and then the left:
Says Di--"This stubble
Is very stupid--as I live
I'm shocked--I'm quite ashamed to give
You so much trouble."

For answer I was fain to sink
To what most swains would say and think
Were Beauty present:
"Don't mention such a simple act--
A trouble? not the least. In fact
It's rather pleasant."

I trust that love will never tease
Poor little Di, or prove that he's
A graceless rover.
She's happy now as Mrs. Smith--
But less polite when walking with
Her chosen lover.

Heigh-ho! Although no moral clings
To Di's soft eyes, and sandal strings,
We've had our quarrels!--
I think that Smith is thought an ass,
I know that when they walk in grass
She wears balmorals.