Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/471
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
A HUSBAND'S DREAM.
453
Another group descending from the skies,
Boasted the glories of primeval state,
And singing to the tune of "Fraternise
Dubbed every man the equal of his mate;
Which plainly heralds to perception's eyes
That such an age will come—despite of fate,
When dustmen, gents, and grandees shall take arms,
And ringed exquisites wring the chummy's palms.
Boasted the glories of primeval state,
And singing to the tune of "Fraternise
Dubbed every man the equal of his mate;
Which plainly heralds to perception's eyes
That such an age will come—despite of fate,
When dustmen, gents, and grandees shall take arms,
And ringed exquisites wring the chummy's palms.
How rich the sight! to see the scented beau
Press with delight the milkmaid's brawny waist!
Or trip it gaily on the nimble toe,
With some fair dame who Billingsgate has graced!
Striving by practice to assert and show
There's not the least Equality in taste,
And only hoping that the next pas deux
May bring some unbleached goddess of the flue.
Press with delight the milkmaid's brawny waist!
Or trip it gaily on the nimble toe,
With some fair dame who Billingsgate has graced!
Striving by practice to assert and show
There's not the least Equality in taste,
And only hoping that the next pas deux
May bring some unbleached goddess of the flue.
I thought, that is, I dreamt—and dreams are thought—
That Liberty was fruitful of herself,
And shook her cap, and laughed, and joked in sport,
Like a young widow, or a jovial elf;
For widows are but courteous to be caught;
Although I say this, 'tis but to myself,
While many fancy that the sombre cap
Is but the widow's matrimonial trap!
That Liberty was fruitful of herself,
And shook her cap, and laughed, and joked in sport,
Like a young widow, or a jovial elf;
For widows are but courteous to be caught;
Although I say this, 'tis but to myself,
While many fancy that the sombre cap
Is but the widow's matrimonial trap!
And other joys I saw, and partly shared—
The fair domain was rich in verdant life,
And not a citizen who thought or cared
About the shrill falsetto of his wife.
But those who happily, or sadly, paired,
Need not, like uncouth doves, engender strife;
The law, with wisdom, gave a quick divorce,
And ladies all grew amiable—of course!
The fair domain was rich in verdant life,
And not a citizen who thought or cared
About the shrill falsetto of his wife.
But those who happily, or sadly, paired,
Need not, like uncouth doves, engender strife;
The law, with wisdom, gave a quick divorce,
And ladies all grew amiable—of course!
Oh! lovely sex! how happy were your fate,
If such a law were forcible but now!
Ye who are left until the day be late,
To bind the virgin's wreath upon your brow!
Or, while your beauty fades, supinely wait
Till some old Benedict presumes to bow;
Then take the dotard, and become a nurse,
"For better," if he's rich, if not, "for worse!"
If such a law were forcible but now!
Ye who are left until the day be late,
To bind the virgin's wreath upon your brow!
Or, while your beauty fades, supinely wait
Till some old Benedict presumes to bow;
Then take the dotard, and become a nurse,
"For better," if he's rich, if not, "for worse!"
However, while I lay enwrapped in sleep,
Viewing these glories of Elysian plains,
And taking at futurity a peep,
Methought some monster wreathed me in his chains!
Viewing these glories of Elysian plains,
And taking at futurity a peep,
Methought some monster wreathed me in his chains!