Etchings in Verse (Underhill)/Her Price

by Andrew Findlay Underhill

HER PRICE.

SO you've asked me to marry you, Henry de Vere;
And you must have an answer, my gay cavalier?
Do you know who I am? In what circle I move?
Let me tell you my gifts, since you ask for my love.
I am very accomplished, a rare work of art;
My figure's perfection, and so is my heart.
If you do not believe it, to-morrow's the day
That I go to the "Patriarchs' Ball," decolletée.
They say that the fashion this season is low,
But since 't is the fashion 't is proper you know.
And then mamma says that the men all declare
That my throat, neck and arms are delightfully fair.
I can play the piano, and banjo, and sing
The latest love songs, and all that sort of thing.
My German is perfect; my French is divine;
I paint like a dream, and in literature shine.
I'm fond of the opera, but never would go
Unless I'd a box in the very front row.
I dote, too, on flowers; a corsage bouquet
Of the rarest of roses I'd have every day.
I'd take two French maids, and a "femme de coiffure;"
And since walking is common, I ne'er could endure
To stir from the house without horses and carriage.
So you see, my dear man, if I'm tempted to marriage,
It will be quite important for you to appear
On the scene with—well well—just thirty thousand a year.