Declaration of War

Declaration of War

OH，would I resembled[49]

The country girls fair,

Who rosy-red ribbons

And yellow hats wear!

To believe I was pretty

I thought was allow’d;

In the town I believed it

When by the youth vow’d.

Now that Spring hath return’d,

All my joys disappear;

The girls of the country

Have lured[50]him from here.

To change dress and figure,

Was needful I found,

My bodice[51]is longer，

My petticoat[52]round.

My hat now is yellow.

My bodice like snow;

The clover to sickle

With others I go.

Something pretty,e’er long

Midst the troop he explores;

The eager boy signs me

To go within doors.

I bashfully[53]go，—

Who I am,he can’t trace;

He pinches my cheeks,

And he looks in my face.

The town girl now threatens

You maidens with war;

Her twofold[54]charms pledges.

Of victory are.

1803.