Violets and Other Tales/Paul to Virginia (Fin de Siecle)

by Alice Dunbar-Nelson

PAUL TO VIRGINIA.

FIN DE SIECLE.

I really must confess, my dear,
   I cannot help but love you,
For of all girls I ever knew,
   There's none I place above you;
But then you know it's rather hard,
   To dangle aimless at your skirt,
And watch your every movement so,
   For I am jealous, and you're a flirt.

There's half a score of fellows round,
   You smile at every one,
And as I think to pride myself for basking in the sun
Of your sweet smiles, you laugh at me,
   And treat me like a lump of dirt,
Until I wish that I were dead,
   For I am jealous, and you're a flirt.

I'm sorry that I've ever known
   Your loveliness entrancing,
Or ever saw your laughing eyes,
   With girlish mischief dancing;
Tis agony supreme and rare
To see your slender waist a-girt
With other fellows' arms, you see,
   For I am jealous, and you're a flirt.

Now, girlie, if you'll promise me,
   To never, never treat me mean,
I'll show you in a little while,
   The best sweetheart you've ever seen;
You do not seem to know or care,
   How often you've my feelings hurt,
While flying round with other boys,
   For I am jealous, and you're a flirt.