Title Page: The ladder in question is a double one. The steps on the left are garlanded with roses, a heart is suspended from the apex and the right-hand, downward steps are bare. A cupid lies on the ground beneath, with the caption Love Lies Sprawling.
Love Lies Sprawling
MATRIMONIAL LADDER
or
Such Things are
Drawn by M. E. Esq.
“So they ripe and ripe!
And rot, and rot!!
And hereby hangs a tale!!
“ ‘Tis true, tis pity
And pity ‘tis,—‘tis true—!!!”
PRESENT OF FRIENDSHIP
NB
Nought but Love can answer Love
And render Bliss secure.
Moral!
Always look before you leap
For as you sow, you’re like to reap.
While grateful Maria leads the gay Quadrille,
What new sensations Henry’s bosom fill.
An introduction gained, the youth advances
And hopes she’s disengaged the two next dances.
The suit obtained, they tread the mazy round,
At length fatigued, a seat’s convenient found.
Henry assiduous plies the glittering fan,
And proves himself a very nice young man.
With favouring smile the fair one hears his prattle,
Sips lemonade and vows he’s quite a rattle,
Then as new raptures rise in every glace,
Exclaims, “I think we’d better join the dance”.
Next morn he calls—the custom’s very old,
To hope the lady has not taken cold.
Thinks she looks charmingly in dishabille,
And tells what pangs his stricken bosom fill.