 | Poetical works of Ella Wheeler Wilcox |  |
TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY? A GIRL'S REVERIE
Mother says, “Be in no hurry,
Marriage oft means care and worry.”
Marriage oft means care and worry.”
Auntie says, with manner grave,
“Wife is synonym for slave.”
“Wife is synonym for slave.”
Father asks, in tones commanding,
“How does Bradstreet rate his standing?”
“How does Bradstreet rate his standing?”
160
Sister, crooning to her twins,
Sighs, “With marriage care begins.”
Sighs, “With marriage care begins.”
Grandma, near life's closing days,
Murmurs, “Sweet are girlhood's ways.”
Murmurs, “Sweet are girlhood's ways.”
Maud, twice widowed (“sod and grass”)
Looks at me and moans “Alas!”
Looks at me and moans “Alas!”
They are six, and I am one,
Life for me has just begun.
Life for me has just begun.
The are older, calmer, wiser:
Age should aye be youth's adviser.
Age should aye be youth's adviser.
They must know—and yet, dear me,
When in Harry's eyes I see
When in Harry's eyes I see
All the world of love there burning—
On my six advisers turning,
On my six advisers turning,
I make answer, “Oh, but Harry,
Is not like most men who marry.
Is not like most men who marry.
“Fate has offered me a prize,
Life with love means Paradise.
Life with love means Paradise.
“Life without it is not worth
All the foolish joys of earth.”
All the foolish joys of earth.”
So, in spite of all they say,
I shall name the wedding-day.
I shall name the wedding-day.
| Poetical works of Ella Wheeler Wilcox | |