Reply To Some Verses Of J. M. B. Pigot, Esq., On The Cruelty Of His Mistress [1]

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 [i]
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 [ii]
Soon takes an effect,
And humbles the proudest coquette.

4. Dissemble your pain,
And lengthen your chain,
And seem her hauteur to regret; [iii]
If again you shall sigh,
She no more will deny,
That yours is the rosy coquette.
5. If still, from false pride, [iv]
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, [v]
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.
October 27, 1806. [vi]

[Footnote 1: The letters "C. B. F. J. B. M." are added, in a lady's hand, in the annotated copy of 'P. on V. Occasions', p. 14 (British Museum).]

[Footnote i: But believe me. [4to]]

[Footnote ii: But a partial. [4to]]

[Footnote iii: Nor seem. [4to. 'P. on V. Occasions'.]]

[Footnote iv: But if from false pride. [4to]]

[Footnote v: But form this design. [4to]]

[Footnote vi: BYRON, October 27, 1806. [4to]