Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A LOVERS' QUARREL, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If I were you, when ladies at the play, sir Last Line: [waltz -- exeunt. Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin Variant Title(s): Tu Quoque; An Idyll In The Conservatory Subject(s): Love - Complaints | ||||||||
' -- romprons-nous, Ou ne romprons-nous pas?' -- LE DEPIT AMOUREUX. NELLIE. IF I were you, when ladies at the play, sir, Beckon and nod, a melodrama through, I would not turn abstractedly away, sir, If I were you! FRANK. If I were you, when persons I affected, Wait for three hours to take me down to Kew, I would, at least, pretend I recollected, If I were you! NELLIE. If I were you, when ladies are so lavish, Sir, as to keep me every waltz but two, I would not dance with odious Miss M'Tavish, If I were you! FRANK. If I were you, who vow you cannot suffer Whiff of the best, -- the mildest 'honey-dew,' I would not dance with smoke-consuming Puffer, If I were you! NELLIE. If I were you, I would not, sir, be bitter, Even to write the 'Cynical Review'; -- FRANK. No, I should doubtless find flirtation fitter, If I were you! NELLIE. Really! You would? Why, Frank, you're quite delightful, -- Hot as Othello, and as black of hue; Borrow my fan. I would not look so frightful, If I were you! FRANK. 'It is the cause.' I mean your chaperon is Bringing some well-curled juvenile. Adieu! I shall retire. I'd spare that poor Adonis, If I were you! NELLIE. Go, if you will. At once! And by express, sir! Where shall it be? To China -- or Peru? Go. I should leave inquirers my address, sir, If I were you! FRANK. No, -- I remain. To stay and fight a duel Seems, on the whole, the proper thing to do; -- Ah, you are strong, -- I would not then be cruel, If I were you! NELLIE. One does not like one's feelings to be doubted, -- FRANK. One does not like one's friends to misconstrue, -- NELLIE. If I confess that I a wee-bit pouted? -- FRANK. I should admit that I was pique, too. NELLIE. Ask me to dance! I'd say no more about it, If I were you! [Waltz -- Exeunt. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TALKING RICHARD WILSON BLUES, BY RICHARD CLAY WILSON by DENIS JOHNSON THE BRIDGE by ALEXANDER ANDERSON THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD MISGIVINGS by WILLIAM MATTHEWS THROUGH AGONY: 1 by CLAUDE MCKAY HEMATITE HEIRLOOM LIVES ON (MAYBE DECEMBER 1980) by ALICE NOTLEY QUICK AND BITTER by YEHUDA AMICHAI A FANCY FROM FONTENELLE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
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