 | Ballads and Lyrical poems |  |
101
THE QUARREL.
I
“Hush, Joanna! 'tis quite certainThat the coffee was not strong;
Own your error, I'll forgive you,—
Why so stubborn in the wrong?”
II
“You'll forgive me! Sir, I hate you!You have used me like a churl;
Have my senses ceased to guide me?
Do you think I am a girl?”
III
“Oh, no! you're a girl no longer,But a woman form'd to please;
And it's time you should abandon
Childish follies such as these.”
IV
“Oh, I hate you! but why vex me?If I'm old, you're older still;
I'll no longer be your victim,
And the creature of your will.”
102
V
“But, Joanna, why this pother?It might happen I was wrong;
But, if common sense inspire me—
Still, that coffee was not strong.”
VI
“Common sense! you never had it;Oh, that ever I was born!
To be wedded to a monster
Who repays my love with scorn.”
VII
“Well, Joanna, we'll not quarrel;What's the use of bitter strife?
But I'm sorry I am married,—
I was mad to take a wife.”
VIII
“Mad, indeed! I'm glad you know it;But, if law can break the chain,
I'll be tied to you no longer
In this misery and pain.”
IX
“Hush, Joanna! shall the servantsHear you argue ever wrong?
Can you not have done with folly?—
Own the coffeé was not strong.”
103
X
“Oh! you goad me past endurance,Trifling with my woman's heart!
But I loathe you, and detest you,—
Villain! monster! let us part!”
XI
Long this foolish quarrel lasted,Till Joanna, half afraid
That her empire was in peril,
Summon'd never-failing aid;—
XII
Summon'd tears, in copious torrents,—Tears, and sobs, and piteous sighs;
Well she knew the potent practice,
The artillery of the eyes.
XIII
And it chanced as she imagined,—Beautiful in grief was she,—
Beautiful to best advantage,
And a tender heart had he.
XIV
Kneeling at her side, he soothed her,“Dear Joanna! I was wrong;
Nevermore I'll contradict you,—
But, oh make my coffee strong!”
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