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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CATHARINA: SECOND PART; ON HER MARRIAGE TO GEORGE COURTENAY by WILLIAM COWPER

Poet Analysis

First Line: BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AS YOU CHUSE
Last Line: HOW SOON I CAN MAKE HER A MOTHER
Subject(s): MARRIAGE; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

BELIEVE it or not, as you chuse,
The doctrine is certainly true,
That the future is known to the Muse,
And poets are oracles too.
I did but express a desire
To see Catharina at home,
At the side of my friend George's fire,
And lo--she is actually come.

Such prophecy some may despise,
But the wish of a poet and friend
Perhaps is approved in the skies,
And therefore attains to its end.
'Twas a wish that flew ardently forth
From a bosom effectually warmed
With the talents, the graces, and worth
Of the person for whom it was formed.

Maria would leave us, I knew,
To the grief and regret of us all,
But less to our grief, could we view
Catharina the Queen of the Hall.
And therefore I wished as I did,
And therefore this union of hands;
Not a whisper was heard to forbid,
But all cry, Amen! to the banns.

Since therefore I seem to incur
No danger of wishing in vain,
When making good wishes for her,
I will e'en to my wishes again;
With one I have made her a wife,
And now I will try with another,
Which I cannot suppress for my life,--
How soon I can make her a mother



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