INTHEALBUMOFAFRENCHTEACHER(?1829)

inthealbumofafrenchteacher(?1829)

imploredforverse,isendyouwhatican;

butyouaresoexactafrenchwoman,

asiamtold,jemima,thatifear

towoundwithenglishyourparisianear,

andthinkidoyourchoicecollectionwrong

withlinesnotwritteninthefrenchman'stongue.

hadiaknowledgeequaltomywill,

withairychansonsiyourleaveswouldfill;

withfabliaux,thatshouldemulatethevein

ofsprightlycresset,oroflafontaine;

orscenescomiques,thatshouldapproachtheair

ofyourownfavourite—renownedmoliere.

butatmysuitthemuseoffrancelookssour,

andstrikesmedumb!yet,whatisinmypower

totestifyrespectforyou,ipray,

takeinplainenglish—ourroughenfieldway.