Learning to Waltz

"Do you waltz, my good friend Peter?"
Asked dear Jennie, who is sweeter
Far than human tongue can tell;
And who's smile, where'r I meet her,
In the field or on the street or
At her home, all griefs dispel.

"No; but will you pretty creature,
Will, oh, will you, be my teacher)
May I learn to waltz with you?
With obedience will I meet your
Goodly rules, and every feature
Of the dance will I pursue,"

"Yes; most gladly will I show you
All I'm able and I know you
Cannot but the waltz enjoy.
For indeed, where'r you go, you
Often meet with dancing, so you
Ever'll have a source of joy.

First I'll teach you the position;"
Then she made the sweet petition
That my arm surround her waist.
Now I had a great ambition
To learn this, the pure elysian
Art, with care and not in haste.

So I said: "I learn but slowly,
And I doubt that I have wholly
Mastered the position right.
Let us practice it while lowly
Seated on the couch, for solely
To learn this will bring delight?"

Glancing up with look dumbfounded,
First she scowled; but her dark frown did
lily serve a smile to hide.
As her pretty waist, well.rounded,
By my right arm was surrounded,
Thus she spoke out at my side:

"You are stupid, I must tell you;
You can't learn, this way, as well, you
Know;" then she relaxed her frown.
"But I will not, sir, compel you
To stand up, so for a spell you
May, sir, practice sitting down?"

Quillings In Verse
John Edward Everett
(Smith Center: ^___. 1912)
Pages 70-71