TIME has a magic wand! What is this meets my hand, Moth-eaten, mouldy, and Covered with fluff, Faded and stiff and scant? Can it be? no, it can't, -- Yes, -- I declare 't is Aunt Prudence's Muff! Years ago -- twenty-three! Old Uncle Barnaby Gave it to Aunty P., Laughing and teasing, -- "Pru. of the breezy curls, Whisper these solemn churls, What holds a pretty girl's Hand without squeezing?" Uncle was then a lad, Gay, but, I grieve to add, Gone to what's called "the bad," -- Smoking, -- and worse! Sleek sable then was this Muff, lined with pinkiness, -- Bloom to which beauty is Seldom averse. I see in retrospect Aunt, in her best bedecked, Gliding, with mien erect, Gravely to meeting: Psalm-book, and kerchief new, Peeped from the Muff of Pru., Young men -- and pious, too -- Giving her greeting. Pure was the life she led Then: from her Muff, 't is said, Tracts she distributed; -- Scapegraces many, Seeing the grace they lacked, Followed her; one attacked Prudence, and got his tract, Oftener than any! Love has a potent spell! Soon this bold ne'er-do-well, Aunt's sweet susceptible Heart undermining, Slipped, so the scandal runs, Notes in the pretty nun's Muff, -- triple-cornered ones, -- Pink as its lining! Worse, even, soon the jade Fled (to oblige her blade!) Whilst her friends thought that they'd Locked her up tightly: After such shocking games, Aunt is of wedded dames Gayest, -- and now her name's Mrs. Golightly. In female conduct flaw Sadder I never saw, Still I've faith in the law Of compensation. Once uncle went astray, -- Smoked, joked, and swore away; Sworn by he's now, by a Large congregation! Changed is the child of sin; Now he's (he once was thin) Grave, with a double chin, -- Blest be his fat form! Changed is the garb he wore: Preacher was never more Prized than is uncle for Pulpit or platform. If all's as best befits Mortals of slender wits, Then beg this Muff, and its Fair owner pardon; All's for the best, -- indeed, Such is my simple creed; Still I must go and weed Hard in my garden. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO FUNERALS: 2. by LOUIS UNTERMEYER WOMEN AND ROSES by ROBERT BROWNING TO MARY IN HEAVEN by ROBERT BURNS ON LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD by BEN JONSON AT A VACATION EXERCISE IN THE COLLEGE by JOHN MILTON SONG: 5 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD IF I AM SITTING CLOSE TO YOU by JESSIE DOWNS BELKNAP |