Soon grown familiar with the town,
Through Pleasure's haze I hurried;
(Don't feel alarmed--suppress that frown--
Another glass--you're flurried)
Subscribed to Crockford's, betted high--
Such specs too oft miscarried;
My purse was full (nay, check that sigh)--
It was before I married.

At Ascot I was quite the thing,
Where all admired my tandem;
I sparkled in the stand and ring,
Talked, betted (though at random);
At Epsom, and at Goodwood too,
I flying colours carried.
Flatterers and followers not a few
Were mine--before I married.

My cash I lent to every one,
And gay crowds thronged around me;
My credit, when my cash was gone,
'Till bills and bailiffs bound me.
With honeyed promises so sweet,
Each friend his object carried,
Till I was marshalled to the Fleet;
But--'twas before I married.

Then sober thoughts of wedlock came,
Suggested by the papers;