Horace: Book III, Ode 9 "Donec eram gratus tibi--" HORACE, PVT. --TH INFANTRY, A.E.F., WRITES: While I was fussing you at home You put the notion in my dome That I was the Mola**es Kid. I batted strong. I'll say I did. LYDIA, ANYBURG U.S.A., WRITES: While you were fussing me alone To other boys my heart was stone. When I was all that you could see No girl had anything on me. HORACE: Well, say, I'm having some romance With one Babette, of Northern France. If that girl gave me the command
I'd dance a jig in No-Man's Land. LYDIA: I, too, have got a young affair With Charley--say, that boy is there! I'd just as soon go out and die If I thought it'd please that guy HORACE: Suppose I can this foreign wren And start things up with you again? Suppose I promise to be good? I'd love you Lyd. I'll say I would. LYDIA: Though Charley's good and handsome--oh, boy! And you're a stormy fickle doughboy, So give the Hun his final whack, And I'll marry you when you come back.