The mesdames and misses cast looks
Of wild admiration and praise, adulation,
As he glibly and smoothly talked books.
When he’d quote a good rhyme or distich, they opine;
Their souls all mesmerized, torn,
“That say what you will, he cast doubts willy-nilly,
Is sure to the real manner born.”
They smiled on and wined him and frequently dined him,
Which quite put a crimp in us beaux;
Who all became hectic, enraged, apoplectic,