THE UNFORTUNATE LOVES OF A CABBAGE AND A CAULIFLOWER.
A much admired Recitation.
A cabbage loved a cauliflower,
(How far beyond my Muse's power
To tell how much he loved,)
'Oh! list unto a lover true,
To one whose heart was formed for you,'
He said,—she seemed unmoved.
'Ah! think not 'cause my wounds are green,
I speak thus warmly, fairest queen,
Nor think me insincere;
Ah, no! my love is firmly rooted,
Nor is there one so aptly suited
To be my wife, my dear.'
Said she, 'I heard the gardener say
Your heart was hard, the other day,
Then pray can you love but me?'
Said Cab, 'you did not comprehend
The gardener, love, you may depend.
Did merely wish to cut me.'
'Oh!' then the Cauliflower sigh'd,
'Do you deem worthy for your bride,
One of such small renown?'
'Of small renown! what is't you say?
The gardener said but t'other day,
Your head was worth a crown.
'Then take me for thy wife, my love,'
'O rapture! can I ever rove?
Oh no! I swear by Venus!
'But, love, our distance,' Cabbage cried,
'Our distance?' cried the lovely bride,
'We've but one bed between us.'
How little thought the luckless pair,
The cruel gardener was near,
(He came at set of sun),
His knife from leathern case be drew,
And cut off both these lovers true,
For fear that they should run.
