Poems (Kimball)/The Little Beggar

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

THE LITTLE BEGGAR.

ALL that you ask is one kiss, Petite;
 Just one wee kiss, and no more?
Did ever a beggar half so sweet
 Stand begging at any door
 For so foolish a thing before!

Kiss you once and you'll go away?
 But I know better than this;
If I kiss you once you are sure to stay,
 And there the mischief is
 In giving you one wee kiss.

Once in my arms and you cannot go,
 Sweet beggar turned captive sweet
For I shall kiss you and kiss you so
 That you will begin to entreat,
 "Please put me down on my feet!"

You are not afraid? Then come, my Pet!
 Away with my book and my pen!
Here goes!—Enough? Not yet, not yet!
 There!—give me back kisses ten,
 And then—come a-begging again!