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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CURE'S NIECE by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON

First Line: SINCE GASTON KISSED AND RODE AWAY
Last Line: "O UNCLE, YEA!"" I CRY."
Subject(s): EASTER; FRANCE; HOLIDAYS; LOVE; THE RESURRECTION;

SINCE Gaston kissed and rode away,
Babette sits weeping all the day,
And goes no more to fete or fair,
Who one time was the gayest there.
The cure says, and so say I,
"Love is a sorry thing to try.
"My niece," says he, "hath too much wit
Ever to give a thought to it."
"O Uncle, yea!" I cry.

Wherefore I treat the lads with scorn --
I toss my curls at maids forlorn;
Still, one May night, I chanced to see
Where Jean went walking with Marie,
And suddenly he bent -- and O!
My cheek was red as hers I know.
It did not seem so @3wrong,@1 and yet
How sad she is, that poor Babette!
And Uncle says and so say I,
"Love is a sorry thing to try."

But Easter, when I went to mass,
The miller's Raoul watched me pass
With such black eyes -- I laughed and then,
I know not why -- I looked again;
And when Marie and Jean came by
I felt so @3sad@1 -- I wonder why.
And last night in the garden he --
(Saints! had the cure chanced to see!)
"My niece," says he, "hath too much wit
Ever to give a thought to it."
"O Uncle, yea!" I cry.



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