Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOTHER'S LAMENT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: It is now nearly forty years, I guess
Last Line: If they hadn't their father's nose
Alternate Author Name(s): Gifford, Lady; Dufferin, Lady


SHOWING HOW A FAMILY RESEMBLANCE IS NOT ALWAYS DESIRABLE


I
It is now nearly forty years, I guess,
Since I was a girl coming out,
And Spriggins proposed and I said, yes,
At old Lady Mumble's rout
My match was reckon'd by no means bad,
Take the marrying world as it goes
But then I must own-Mr. Spriggins had
A remarkably ugly nose!


2
Now the length or shape of your husband's nose
Is a thing that don't signify-
As long as your mother and aunts suppose
There's enough to lead him by!
But I own it often has made me sigh,
At the time of our honeymoon's close-
To hear the folks who were passing by
Remark on my Spriggins's nose
3
It wasn't round-nor was it square-
Nor three-corner'd as some noses be!
But upon my conscience I do declare
'Twas a mixture of all the three!
And oh! how painful it was to hear,
When our son was in swaddling clothes,
The nurses exclaim-"Oh, sweet little dear,
He has got his papa's own nose! "


4
Five daughters besides were born to me
To add to my woe and careBell, Susan, Jemima, and Dorothee
And Kate-who has sandy hair;
But it isn't the number that makes me grieve,
Tho' they cost me a mint in clothes, -
Five gawky girls!-but you'd hardly believe
They have all got their father's nose!


5
They've been to Brighton for many years past,
And a season in London too,
And Bell nearly got a proposal at last-
But we found that it wouldn't do!
And oh! ' tis a grievous thing, I declare,
To be told, wherever one goes,
I should know the Miss Sprigginses-anywhere
They've all got the family nose! "


6
No beau will be seen in our company,
Do all that we possibly can,
Except Mr. Green-who is fifty-three-
And Gubbins-the Doctor's young man!
There's Captain Hodson and Admiral Bluff,
I wonder they don't propose
For really the girls are well enough-
If they hadn't their father's nose!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net