Now sixteen summers just had sped In rapid course o’er Mary’s head,— Each gave her cheek a brighter hue, Each to her mind some treasure new. Her sire—what wonder?—long had eyed His child, his idol, with the pride Which deems its darling hath no peer Among her sister-beauties here; And longs the envying world should view Her matchless charms, and think so, too. At length, this boastful rapture, nursed In secret, forth to utterance burst; ’Twas on that smiling April day He to his lady spouse did say— “I think, as now advances Spring, Our girl to town ’t were well to bring; ’T is time she went to court, my dear!” Quick cries the Lady—“What!—this year? Court at sixteen! too soon, no doubt! All the young ladies round about— The Greys—the Mordaunts—ne’er were seen, Never presented ’till eighteen.”— “Nay, as you will—perchance you’ve reason; Well then, we keep at home this season. That last election thinned my purse, Which, truth to say, requires a nurse; Though on dear Mary’s pleasure bent, I should not count how much I spent.” The Lady hears—and from her spouse Hides sudden fears, she knits her brows, And o’er her features still most fair, Calls up a bland, persuaded air; “_Réflexion faite_—you _may_ be right, I would not stand in Mary’s light; And to her pleasure, I my own Would sacrifice;—let’s go to town!” She uttered not her thought of wo, “How rapidly one’s daughters grow!” Yes, pain can seize a mother’s heart, When, _ere_ her mellowed charms depart, She must, a full-blown rose, retire While eager crowds the bud admire; And while a daughter at her feet } Hath words that burn, and hearts that beat, } Must fill the chaperon’s lonely seat! } Ye, whom a fate like this doth scare, Be wise, though Cupid sets the snare, Bid the sly urchin from your door, To come again at _twenty-four_; Then wedded, to such follies cold, At placid forty you’ll behold, Without an envious thought or care, Your second-self—or one more fair;— Hear with fond pride your daughter’s name, Look calmly on the lively game, Nor wince, if careless tongue should say, “Her mother, too, _she had her day_!”