Mary exclaims—"Mama's severe, "And papa's conduct quite austere: "When to some darling wish inclin'd, "Or on some plan I fix my mind; "With grave advice I'm thwarted."— "Oh, soon may that holiday period come When I shall be blest with my husband and home; When no cross papa nor mama more shall teaze, And I live with the @3man of my heart,@1 quite at ease." The wishes of Mary were not long suspended, But tho' soon completed, her case was not mended; For tho' much she respected her conjugal vows, They were held very light by her profligate spouse And poor simple Mary was pained to discover The wonderful diff'rence 'twixt husband and @3lover;@1 Of late he's so rude and tyrannical grown, That no longer she boasts of a @3home of her own;@1 Tho' her pride scarce permits the plain truth to appear, Yet it speaks in the sigh and the silent-shed tear. In those hours of dejection, her mem'ry portrays The @3now@1 cherish'd delights of her happier days, @3And mama's grave advice,@1 which of late could not move, Now appears in the garb of affection and love. "Dear parents," she mentally cries, "oh! forgive The ingrate, who would not your maxims receive; Fain, fain would she now to your mansion repair, And, press'd to your bosoms, forget ev'ry care— But wishes are vain—and your child must remain, While her aching heart whispers she forg'd her own chain. Then this truth let us own, which experience will prove— No affection's so binding as filial love; And no keener anguish can sorrow impart, Than that which is caus'd by the @3man of your heart.@1" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD SQUIRE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE BEAUTIFUL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES PER PACEM AD LUCEM by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER A FINE DAY ON LOUGH SWILLY by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1824-1911) WORLD-MILLER by FRANCES BARBER BIRDS OF PASSAGE: PRELUDE by MATHILDE BLIND THE COMPARISON by THOMAS CAREW |