Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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TABLES TURNED. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
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TABLES TURNED.
“Let us play at school, dear Father,” said my little girl to me,
“I a thousand times would rather you, not I, should pupil be;
Come, its only just pretending,” and she gaily on me smil'd,
As she saw my face unbending, “I'll be mistress, you the child.”
So I came, and without shame I took the lowest stool;
Now, alas! I keep in class, and always am at school.
“I a thousand times would rather you, not I, should pupil be;
Come, its only just pretending,” and she gaily on me smil'd,
As she saw my face unbending, “I'll be mistress, you the child.”
So I came, and without shame I took the lowest stool;
Now, alas! I keep in class, and always am at school.
Dolly sits in all my places and delights in all my joys,
Or with gravest of grimaces turns my finest things to toys.
Early comes she in the morning, big with lessons for the day,
Pouting lips of scarlet scorning to resume the endless play.
And I bow with patient brow to her imperious will,
Given a store of curious lore and learning humbly still.
Or with gravest of grimaces turns my finest things to toys.
Early comes she in the morning, big with lessons for the day,
Pouting lips of scarlet scorning to resume the endless play.
And I bow with patient brow to her imperious will,
Given a store of curious lore and learning humbly still.
Dolly has the softest sofa, and of course the easiest chair,
While she teaches me my “Do Fa” with a most omniscient air.
O she grasps the whip or sceptre with her dimpled baby hand,
As she hourly grows adepter in the custom of command.
And I hear with reverent ear as her obedient tool,
Stories strange past mortal range, and always am at school.
While she teaches me my “Do Fa” with a most omniscient air.
O she grasps the whip or sceptre with her dimpled baby hand,
As she hourly grows adepter in the custom of command.
And I hear with reverent ear as her obedient tool,
Stories strange past mortal range, and always am at school.
Dolly deals me cuffs and kisses by a sweet impartial law,
While I fathom love's abysses with a dear increasing awe;
She assumes my sternest manner if I ever chance to slip,
And is the most artful planner of surprises meant to trip.
But my cage of narrow stage is like a picture book,
For Dolly's eyes are azure skies and have her mother's look.
While I fathom love's abysses with a dear increasing awe;
She assumes my sternest manner if I ever chance to slip,
And is the most artful planner of surprises meant to trip.
But my cage of narrow stage is like a picture book,
For Dolly's eyes are azure skies and have her mother's look.
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Dolly brings to me the treasure back which I desire so much,
And renews the nameless pleasure in each dainty tone and touch;
For her little chains are golden and like sunshine on me cast,
While she wakes the blessings olden of the happy promise past.
But I find my bondage kind, and as an Eden cool,
In this drear and desert year, and always am at school.
And renews the nameless pleasure in each dainty tone and touch;
For her little chains are golden and like sunshine on me cast,
While she wakes the blessings olden of the happy promise past.
But I find my bondage kind, and as an Eden cool,
In this drear and desert year, and always am at school.
Dolly comes to me with cooing accents at the evening's call,
Bent on conquests by her wooing words, at which I ever fall;
Gives me tender admonition, which she is convinced will suit,
Leading surely to fruition of some sweet forbidden fruit;
But I dare not, and I care not now to chide her wilful choice,
For her hair is bright and fair, and then she has her mother's voice.
Bent on conquests by her wooing words, at which I ever fall;
Gives me tender admonition, which she is convinced will suit,
Leading surely to fruition of some sweet forbidden fruit;
But I dare not, and I care not now to chide her wilful choice,
For her hair is bright and fair, and then she has her mother's voice.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |