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The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe

Household Edition : with illustrations

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THE FAMILY MAN.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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THE FAMILY MAN.

I once was a jolly young beau,
And knew how to pick up a fan,
But I've done with all that, you must know,
For now I'm a family man!
When a partner I ventured to take,
The ladies all favored the plan;
They vowed I was certain to make
“Such an excellent family man!”
If I travel by land or by water,
I have charge of some Susan or Ann;
Mrs. Brown is so sure that her daughter
Is safe with a family man!
The trunks and the bandboxes round 'em
With something like horror I scan,
But though I may mutter, “Confound 'em!”
I smile—like a family man!
I once was as gay as a templar,
But levity's now under ban;
Young people must have an exemplar,
And I am a family man!
The club-men I meet in the city
All treat me as well as they can;
And only exclaim, “What a pity
Poor Tom is a family man!”

62

I own I am getting quite pensive;
Ten children, from David to Dan,
Is a family rather extensive;
But then—I'm a family man!