 | The complete poetical works of Thomas Hood |  |
THE BURNING OF THE LOVE-LETTER
‘Sometimes they were put to the proof, by what was called the Fiery Ordeal.’
—Hist. Eng.
—Hist. Eng.
No morning ever seemed so long!—
I tried to read with all my might!
In my left hand ‘My Landlord's Tales,’
And threepence ready in my right.
I tried to read with all my might!
In my left hand ‘My Landlord's Tales,’
And threepence ready in my right.
'Twas twelve at last—my heart beat high!—
The Postman rattled at the door!—
And just upon her road to church,
I dropt the ‘Bride of Lammermoor!’
The Postman rattled at the door!—
And just upon her road to church,
I dropt the ‘Bride of Lammermoor!’
I seized the note—I flew upstairs—
Flung-to the door, and lock'd me in—
With panting haste I tore the seal—
And kiss'd the B in Benjamin!
Flung-to the door, and lock'd me in—
With panting haste I tore the seal—
And kiss'd the B in Benjamin!
'Twas full of love—to rhyme with dove—
And all that tender sort of thing—
Of sweet and meet—and heart and dart—
But not a word about a ring!—
And all that tender sort of thing—
Of sweet and meet—and heart and dart—
But not a word about a ring!—
In doubt I cast it in the flame,
And stood to watch the latest spark—
And saw the love all end in smoke—
Without a Parson and a Clerk!
And stood to watch the latest spark—
And saw the love all end in smoke—
Without a Parson and a Clerk!
| The complete poetical works of Thomas Hood | |