ENGAGED !

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 567

ENGAGED !

Yes, I’m engaged ! Yet I can hardly fancy that it’s real ; He doesn’t quite come up to my ideal, The light man never does, and so It seems so much moie genuine, you know. But then he says I’m all his fancy painted — I fear he’s not with painting much acquainted — He breathed so ardently his passion tender 1 felt I must surrender, And so I did, and I’m engaged. Engaged I Engaged ! How odd it makes one feel. Thank goodness I my feelings can conceal. Some girls would show the thing in every look. Printed all over them as is a book, Pioud as a little girl with a new dolly, I’m glad to say that I’m abive such folly, And I defy the world to see in me That I am anything , but fancy free. If I betrayed it, 1 should feel enraged To think a smiling world knew I'm engaged. Yet why should I the matter secret keep? Engaged ! Engaged ! Last night I scarce could sleep ; For still the cry ‘ Engaged’ rang in my ears A rhythmic chorus to my hopes and fears. I pondered, wondering, • Had 1 done alight?’ While Hope’s voice quavered, though she whispered ‘ Quite.’ But courage came with daylight, and I stand Confessed with the betrothed ones of the land, Proud of my choice, my fears all, all assuaged. I’m sorry for the girls who are not engaged. Engaged ! Ah me, engaged I My days of freedom over, For now I must no longer be a rover And Hit, like butterfly, from flower to flower, Contented with the conference of an hour. Farewell the waltz, farewell all kinds of dance**, Farewell pressed hands, sly smiles, and oh ! all sorts of glances. My glances now must take a certain way, My smiles no longer hither, thither stray ; All innocent flirtation is denied me— I did not think it would so much have tried me ! It makes me feel like some poor bird encaged And wish myself a trifle less engaged R A. Bullen.