Ol' Miss Propri'ty up an' say:
"Why will you chilluns ack this way?
Whenever I go out to walk
I see you two—an' people talk!
"Miss Grundy says to me today:
'They go to ride, an' stay an' stay.
How come her pa don't take a hand
An' call 'em down to beat the band?'
"I've tol' you time an' time again
A man should call but now and then,
Unless the priest has called the banns
An' date's been set for jinin' han's.
"'Tain't proper, no, an' it ain't right
To call or ride mos' ev'ry night.
Hear now the last word that I'll say:
You break my rules—then you must pay!"
Ol' Miss Propri'ty, who are you
That you should tell us what to do?
Your mammy was a prissy scold,
Yer dad a crabbed "sis," I'm told.
You stick to rules your grandma 'ranged,
Despite the fac' that times have changed.
Propriety, Convention—these
Are how determined, if you please?
Ol' Miss, if true I love this maid
Should I go slow and be afraid
Of what the neighbor-folk will say?
Nay, nay, a girl's not won that way!
There're nine and ninety swains, they say,
Who'd steal this maid. If I make hay
I needs must work despite the fogs,
And though it's raining cats and dogs.
Ol' Miss, if you could see her eyes
With laughter lit, or in surprise,
Or questioning, or looking grave,
Or beckoning—just hear me rave—
Could see the beauty of her face,
Her winsome ways, her lissom grace—
Ah, Miss, your rules you'd cast aside
And daily beg, "Dear, please come ride."
Then why not I? I'm human, too.
It's right for me if right for you.
You see I've got so much to say
I've gotta see her ev'ry day.
Ol' Miss she say, "My boy, you're right;
I now see things in diff'rent light.
My laws still rule the other guy,
But to your case they don't apply.
So tell her my permission's got
To call on her a nawful lot.
You've found me easy, have you lad?
All right, then try convincing Dad."