CAN I forget that winter night In eighteen eighty-four, When Nellie, charming little sprite, Came tapping at the door? "Good evening, miss," I blushing said, For in my heart I knew— And, knowing, hung my pretty head— That Nellie came to woo. She clasped my big red hand, and fell Adown upon her knees, And cried: "You know I love you well, So be my husband, please!" And then she swore she'd ever be A tender wife and true— Ah, what delight it was to me That Nellie came to woo! She'd lace my shoes and darn my hose And mend my shirts, she said; And grease my comely Roman nose Each night on going to bed; She'd build the fires and fetch the coal, And split the kindling, too— Love's perjuries o'erwhelmed her soul When Nellie came to woo. And as I blushing, gave no check To her advances rash, She twined her arms about my neck, And toyed with my moustache; And then she pleaded for a kiss, While I—what could I do But coyly yield me to that bliss When Nellie came to woo? I am engaged, and proudly wear A gorgeous diamond ring, And I shall wed my lover fair Some time in gentle spring. I face my doom without a sigh— And so, forthsooth, would you, If you but loved as fond as I The Nellie who came to woo. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWILIGHT AT THE HEIGHTS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL by PUBLIUS AELIUS HADRIANUS THE COSMIC TRAIL by EDWIN M. ABBOTT WORLDLY PLACE by MATTHEW ARNOLD AN EVENING PRAYER by BERNARD BARTON MOONLIGHT NIGHT by ERMINIE BROADSTONE |