OLD BIRCH, who taught the village school, Wedded a maid of homespun habit; He was as stubborn as a mule, And she as playful as a rabbit. Poor Kate had scarce become a wife Before her husband sought to make her The pink of country polished life, And prim and formal as a Quaker. One day the tutor went abroad, And simple Katie sadly missed him, When he returned, behind her lord She shyly stole, and fondly kissed him. The husband's anger rose, and red And white his face alternate grew: "Less freedom, ma'am!" Kate sighed and said, "O, dear! I didn't know 't was you!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLAMING CIRCLE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE MARSEILLAISE by CLAUDE JOSEPH ROUGET DE LISLE THE TENDER HUSBAND: PROLOGUE by JOSEPH ADDISON THE ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH: BOOK 2. RUSTIC INTERIOR by JOHN ARMSTRONG THE INGOLDSBY PENANCE!; A LEGEND OF PALESTINE AND -- WEST KENT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM THE HUNTER'S MOON by MATHILDE BLIND |