Fannie has the sweetest foot Ever in a gaiter boot! And the hoyden knows it, And, of course, she shows it, -- Not the knowledge, but the foot, -- Yet with such a modest grace, Never seems it out of place, Ah, there are not many Half so sly, or sad, or mad, Or wickeder than Fannie. Fannie has the blackest hair Of any of the village girls; It does not shower on her neck In silken or coquettish curls. It droops in folds around her brow, As clouds, at night, around the moon, Looped with lilies here and there, In many a dangerous festoon. And Fannie wears a gipsy hat, Saucily -- yes, all of that! Ah, there are not many Half so sly, or sad, or mad, Or wickeder than Fannie. Fannie wears an open dress -- Ah! the charming chemisette! Half concealing, half revealing Something far more charming yet. Fannie drapes her breast with lace, As one would drape a costly vase To keep away mischievous flies; But lace can't keep away one's eyes For every time her bosom heaves, Ah, it peepeth through it; Yet Fannie looks the while as if Never once she knew it. Ah, there are not many Half so sly, or sad, or mad, Or innocent as Fannie. Fannie lays her hand in mine; Fannie speaks with naivete, Fannie kisses me, she does! In her own coquettish way. Then softly speaks and deeply sighs, With angels nestled in her eyes. In the merrie month of May, Fannie swears sincerely She will be my own, my wife, And love me dearly, dearly Ever after all her life. Ah, there are not many Half so sly, or sad, or mad, As my true-hearted Fannie. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MADEIRA FROM THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE A BROKEN APPOINTMENT by THOMAS HARDY GRANDMOTHER'S STORY OF BUNKER HILL BATTLE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES ODE [FOR MUSIC] ON ST. CECILIA'S DAY by ALEXANDER POPE THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MARIA MINOR by MARGARET AVISON THE PLAYERS by FRANCIS LAWRENCE BICKLEY |