The Colonel.

The Colonel!--Such a creature!         I met him at the ball!--     So fair in form and feature,         And so divinely tall!     He praised my dimpled cheeks and curls,         While whirling through the dance,     And matched me with the dark-eyed girls         Of Italy and France!     He said, in accents thrilling--         "Love's boundless as the sea;     And I, dear maid, am willing         To give up all for thee!"     I heard him--blushed--"Would ask mamma"--         And then my eyes grew dim!     He looked--I said, "Mamma--papa--         I'd give up all for him!"     My governor is rich and old;         This well the Colonel knew.     "Love's wings," he said, "when fringed with gold,         Are beautiful to view!"     I thought his 'havior quite the ton,         Until I saw him stare     When merely told that--brother--John--         Papa--would--make--his--heir!     Next day and the day after         I dressed for him in vain;     Was moved to tears and laughter--         He never came again!     But I have heard, for Widow Dash         He bought the bridal ring;     And he will we her for her cash--         The ugly, hateful thing!