The Lover's Baedeker and Guide to ArcadyWells, Carolyn
General
The Lover's Baedeker and Guide to Arcady
Wells, Carolyn
Love
Christmas receives due consideration, but St. Valentine’s Day and All
Hallowe’en are even more widely celebrated in Arcady.
April First, or All Fools’ Day, is not specially observed, except in
Fool’s Paradise, where it is April Fools’ Day all the year round.
Midsummer Eve and the Eve of St. Agnes are dear to Lovers, and as every
day is Somebody’s Birthday, there are celebrations continually. Mayday,
too, is a pleasant occasion, and on that day there are May-parties all
over the place, for Arcady is a Land where it is always Saturday
Afternoon.
THE LAY OF LOTHARIO LEE
Lothario Lee was saddened, the world seemed grim and gray;
For Lothario Lee was a lover bold, and today was St. Valentine’s Day.
’Twas St. Valentine’s Day, and he fain would send his heart to the fair
Florelle,
For the radiant maid had inspired in his breast a passion he could not
quell.
But alas! for the gay Lothario, his heart was held in fee
Down at Dan Cupid’s pawnshop, at the sign of the roses three.
Willingly would the lovelorn knight that errant heart reclaim,
But alas! the luckless Lothario hadn’t a cent to his name.
So he sadly sat and pondered, as doleful as he could be;
When a brilliant notion struck him—“Done!” cried Lothario Lee.
“I’ll send her the pawnshop ticket, my tale of wo ’twill tell,
For she alone can redeem my heart—the rich and rare Florelle.”
He sent her the tell-tale ticket, he scribbled a hasty line,
Bidding her call at Dan Cupid’s shop and claim her valentine.
And as she read the message, in the soul of the fair Florelle
A joyful thought rang merrily, like a far-away marriage bell.
With her heart in a frantic flutter, adown the street sped she,
Till she reached Dan Cupid’s pawnshop, at the sign of the roses three.
Cupid sat at a work-bench, mending a broken dart;
“I am Florelle,” said she, “and I come to claim Lothario’s heart.
“Here is the ticket, Cupid; what are the ransom fees?
See, I will pay you the money; give me the heart, if you please.”
“But I am blind,” said Cupid, “I cannot see the name;
Describe the heart you are looking for, and so make good your claim.”
“Lothario’s heart,” said the lady, “is brave and knows no fear.”
“Alas!” said Cupid, dejectedly, “no such heart is here.”
“His heart,” said the lady, further, “is honest, and good, and true.”
“No,” said Dan Cupid, wofully, “not one of these hearts will do.”
“His heart to me is single, it beats for me alone.”
“Come, come,” cried Cupid, “impossible! Such hearts I’ve never known.
“The best in my collection has been mended once or twice,
But here’s a heart that may suit you, if you’re willing to pay the
price.
“It’s a heart that is sad and lonely, a trifle hard and cold,
It seems to be rather scarred and worn—in fact, it’s getting old.
“It’s somewhat fickle and jealous, a bit impatient, too;
And it’s branded with several maidens’ names—Coralie, Rose, and Loo.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account