Lines On H---'s Foot

It may be you've seen her eyes,
Dark and deep like midnight skies;
You mayhap have seen them flash
Underneath the drooping lash,
And been dazzled by the light
Of those orbs, so dark and bright;
But--have you seen her foot,
In its little gaiter boot?


You have noticed, maybe, how
The lily spreads from chin to brow.
You have thought her cheek more fair
Than if roses lingered there;
(Roses would seem out of place
On her pale patrician face)
But--again I question you,
Have you seen her tiny shoe?


You have thought her mouth, no doubt,
Like a blush-rose half blown out;
Small and sweet, withal, beside,
Touched with scorn and curved with pride;
(Innate pride--not meant to chill)--
You have seen it there, and still--
Answer one more question, pray--
Have you seen her boot? I say.


Such a tiny, tiny thing,
Is that foot of which I sing;
No. 3 would hide it so
It could not be found, I know.
No. 2 must stand aside
All too long and large and wide,
No. 1 must be the boot
For this maiden's little foot.


You may envy, sir, the clerk
In the shoe-store, hard at work,
Who tries the gaiter boot
On this cunning little foot.
On his knee, supporting it,
Saying, "It's a perfect fit,"
Buttoning on the No. 1,
Looking sorry, when it's done.


You have seen her, slight and neat,
As she tripped along the street,
You have heard the pit-pat-fall
Of that foot so very small.
That she's fair, and pure, and good,
Bright, and sweet is understood,
But--have you seen that foot--
In its dainty gaiter boot?