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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ASK AND HAVE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, 'tis time I should talk to your mother
Last Line: "you'd better ask me."
Variant Title(s): A Way Out Of It;how To Ask And Have
Subject(s): Courtship


"OH, 't is time I should talk to your mother,
Sweet Mary," says I.
"Oh, don't talk to my mother," says Mary,
Beginning to cry:
"For my mother says men are deceivers,
And never, I know, will consent;
She says girls in a hurry who marry
At leisure repent."
"Then suppose I would talk to your father,
Sweet Mary," says I.
"Oh, don't talk to my father," says Mary,
Beginning to cry:
"For my father, he loves me so dearly,
He'll never consent I should go --
If you talk to my father," says Mary,
"He'll surely say 'No.'"
"Then how shall I get you, my jewel?
Sweet Mary," says I.
"If your father and mother's so cruel,
Most surely I'll die!"
"Oh, never say die, dear," syas Mary:
"A way now to save you I see:
Since my parents are both so contrary --
You'd better ask me."




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