Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | VIII. Wedded Love | | The Retort | | George Pope Morris (1802–1864) |
| | | OLD BIRCH, who taught the village school, | |
| Wedded a maid of homespun habit; | |
| He was as stubborn as a mule, | |
| And she as playful as a rabbit. | |
| Poor Kate had scarce become a wife | 5 |
| Before her husband sought to make her | |
| The pink of country polished life, | |
| And prim and formal as a Quaker. | |
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| One day the tutor went abroad, | |
| And simple Katie sadly missed him, | 10 |
| When he returned, behind her lord | |
| She shyly stole, and fondly kissed him. | |
| The husband’s anger rose, and red | |
| And white his face alternate grew: | |
| “Less freedom, ma’am!” Kate sighed and said, | 15 |
| “O, dear! I didn’t know ’t was you!” | | | | |
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