Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NELL AND JOHN, by MATTHEW PRIOR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NELL AND JOHN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When nell, given o'er by the doctor, was dying
Last Line: When you lost your white heifer, and I my brown mare!
Subject(s): Death; Loss; Marriage; Dead, The; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


WHEN Nell, given o'er by the doctor, was dying,
And John at the chimney stood decently crying;
'Tis in vain, said the woman, to make such ado,
For to our long home we must all of us go!

True, Nell, replied John; but, what yet is the worst
For us that remain, the best always go first;
Remember, dear wife, that I said so last year,
When you lost your white heifer, and I my brown mare!





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