The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.
John Godfrey Saxe (18161887)The Coquette
“Y
Said my beautiful cousin Lisette,
As we sat by the window alone,
“But say, can you paint a Coquette?”
“Nay, nay!” said the laughing Lisette,
“Now none of your joking—but try
And paint me a thorough Coquette.”
In the ear of the eager Lisette,
“I’ll paint you as well as I can,
That wonderful thing, a Coquette.
(“Of course,” said the pretty Lisette),
“And isn’t deficient in grace,
Or else she were not a Coquette.
(A smile from the dainty Lisette)
“By people expert in the trade
Of forming a proper Coquette.
(“Go on!” said the winning Lisette),
“But there isn’t a man of them knows
The mind of the fickle Coquette!
(A sigh from the tender Lisette),
“But her weeping is all in my eye—
Not that of the cunning Coquette!
(“Oh hush!” said the frowning Lisette),
“With merely the ghost of a heart—
Enough for a thorough Coquette.
(“Now don’t!” said the angry Lisette),
“The lady is always in love—
In love with herself—the Coquette!
My dear little cousin Lisette,
You told me a moment ago,
To paint you—a thorough Coquette!”