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Home  »  The World’s Wit and Humor  »  Lizzy’s Peccadilloes

The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.

Pierre Jean de Béranger (1780–1857)

Lizzy’s Peccadilloes

From “Songs”

LIZ, as mistress o’er all,

E’en my wine, you may reign;

But ’tis martyrdom for me

To ask it in vain.

And if glasses you count

At my age, fickle jade—

Pray, have I ever counted

The slips you have made?

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!

Lindor’s impudence spoils

All the tricks you devise:

Softly breathed are his words;

Deeply drawn are his sighs.

Of his tenderest hopes

I’m instructed by him—

Lest I scold you for this,

Fill at least to the brim!

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!

With Clitander so blest

When I caught you at last,

You were tenderly counting

The kisses that passed.

To redouble their sum

Didn’t cause you much pain—

Come, for all of those kisses

Fill, fill up again!

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!

Giving jewels and lace

Mondor, free of his purse,

Plays with you in my presence,

Nor finds you averse.

Nay, I’ve seen him, grown bold,

Put his arm round your waist—

For a rascal so great

To the dregs let me taste!

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!

Then I saw, as I entered

Your chamber one night,

Through the window a robber

On tiptoe take flight.

’Twas the rogue I had sent

From your parlor, that eve—

Come, a fresh bottle bring,

Lest too much I perceive.

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!

All enriched with your favors,

We’ve both the same friends;

Those of whom you are weary

My favor attends.

But, then, traitress, with them

You must let me drink deep;

Be my mistress for aye,

And our friends let us keep!

Ah, Liz, all along

You’ve deceived me—and yet

I would fain have a bumper,

To toast my grisette!