Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WAY OF THE WORLD, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WAY OF THE WORLD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A youth would marry a maiden
Last Line: And so it was two hearts were broken.
Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness


I.

A YOUTH would marry a maiden,
For fair and fond was she;
But she was rich, and he was poor,
And so it might not be.
A lady never could wear --
Her mother held it firm --
A gown that came of an India plant,
Instead of an India worm. --
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.

II.

A youth would marry a maiden,
For fair and fond was she;
But he was high and she was low,
And so it might not be.
A man who had worn a spur,
In ancient battle won,
Had sent it down with great renown,
To goad his future son! --
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.

III.

A youth would marry a maiden,
For fair and fond was she;
But their sires disputed about the Mass,
And so it might not be.
A couple of wicked kings,
Three hundred years agone,
Had played at a royal game of chess,
And the Church had been a pawn! --
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.





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