Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SARAH HAZARD'S LOVE LETTER, by JOHN ELLIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SARAH HAZARD'S LOVE LETTER, by                    
First Line: Dear object of my love, whose powerful charms
Last Line: Lurks the false, trait'rous, undermining foe.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ellis, Jack
Subject(s): Pregnancy


DEAR object of my love, whose pow'rful charms
With bliss ecstatic filled my clinging arms!
That bliss is past; and nought for me remains,
But foul reproach, and never-pitied pains!
For (nature baffling ev'ry art I tried)
My sister has my waxing waist descried,
And brands me oft with each opprobious name,
Though the crack's conscious she deserves the same:
Her loose associate, sated, from her flies,
And oft, though vainly, to seduce me tries;
True as a wife, I only want the name;
O haste to wed me, and restore my fame.
No lack of coin our union shall defer,
For my pawned stays will well supply my dear;
And those good smocks which once your fondness gave,
Those smocks I'll sell, or any clothes I have:
What these produce will pay the coupling priest,
And furnish dainties for our nuptial feast.
O how I long my loving Charles to see,
Haste then, my life! to happiness and me;
Nor anxious be 'bout that material thing,
For I've just stol'n my saucy sister's ring:
In vain she may expect me to restore;
No! faith, the slut shall never have it more.
Come quick, my love, for far she spreads my shame;
Come, patch my virtue, and defend my fame.
Take me, and make me soon thy lawful spouse,
Then heav'n shall bless thy due regard to vows,
And will reward thee with what lasts for life,
A tender, duteous, fond and faithful wife.

P.S. These earnest dictates of my anxious heart
I beg you would not to your friend impart;
For oft beneath fair friendship's specious show
Lurks the false, trait'rous, undermining foe.





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