George Gordon Byron

Reply to some Verses of J. M. B. Pigot, Esq., on the Cruelty of his Mistress

1.

   ⁠Why, Pigot, complain
⁠   Of this damsel's disdain,
Why thus in despair do you fret?
   ⁠For months you may try,
   ⁠Yet, believe me, a sigh
Will never obtain a coquette.

2.

⁠   Would you teach her to love?
   ⁠For a time seem to rove;
At first she may frown in a pet;
   ⁠But leave her awhile,
⁠   She shortly will smile,
And then you may kiss your coquette.

3.

   ⁠For such are the airs
   ⁠Of these fanciful fairs,
They think all our homage a debt:
   ⁠Yet a partial neglect
⁠   Soon takes an effect,
And humbles the proudest coquette.

4.

⁠   Dissemble your pain,
   ⁠And lengthen your chain,
And seem her hauteur to regret;
⁠   If again you shall sigh,
   ⁠She no more will deny,
That yours is the rosy coquette.

5.

   ⁠If still, from false pride,
   ⁠Your pangs she deride,
This whimsical virgin forget;
⁠   Some other admire,
   ⁠Who will melt with your fire,
And laugh at the little coquette.

6.

⁠   For me, I adore
   ⁠Some twenty or more,
And love them most dearly; but yet,
⁠   Though my heart they enthral,
   ⁠I'd abandon them all,
Did they act like your blooming coquette.

7.

⁠   No longer repine,
⁠   Adopt this design,
And break through her slight-woven net!
⁠   Away with despair,
⁠   No longer forbear
To fly from the captious coquette.

8.

   ⁠Then quit her, my friend!
⁠   Your bosom defend,
Ere quite with her snares you're beset:
   ⁠Lest your deep-wounded heart,
⁠   When incens'd by the smart,
Should lead you to curse the coquette.