Spoken by a Child of Nine Years Old

SPOKEN BY A CHILD OF NINE YEARS OLD .

A S the wise ones within have assur'd me it's common
For chits of my age to be aping the woman,
To prove that I've talents, as well as another,
Good folks! — I ran forward — in spite of my mother.
Don't tell me, says I — they shall know how the case is;
I'm not to be check'd in my airs and my graces:
I was born a coquette — and by Goles I'm not idle;
I can ogle already — look peevish, and bridle;
And I'll practise new gestures, each night and each morning,
'Gainst I reach to my teens — so I give ye fair warning.
Though I move ye at present with nothing but laughter,
Look well to your hearts, Beaux! — I'll swinge ye hereafter.
Have patience, then, pray; and by practice grown bolder,
I'll pronuse to please, if I live to grow older.