You like not that French novel? Tell me why. You think it quite unnatural. Let us see. the actors are, it seems, the usual three: Husband, and wife, and lover. She -- but fie! In England we'll not hear of it. Edmond, The lover, her devout chagrin doth share; Blanc-mange and absinthe are his penitent fare, Till his pale aspect makes her over-found: So, to preclude fresh sin, he tries rosbif. Meantime the husband is no more abused: Auguste forgives her ere the tear is used. Then hangeth all on one tremendous IF: -- @3If@1 she will choose between them. She does choose; And takes her husband, like a proper wife. Unnatural? My dear, these things are life: And life, some think, is worthy of the Muse. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN THE MOONLIGHT by THOMAS HARDY JEWISH HYMN IN BABYLON by HENRY HART MILMAN THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: MAY by EDMUND SPENSER THE INCENSE BURNER by ABUS SALT THE PERSIANS (PERSAE): THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS by AESCHYLUS THOREAU'S FLUTE by LOUISA MAY ALCOTT TWO SONNETS FROM NEW YORK: QUESTIONS by ADELAIDE NICHOLS BAKER TO BARON DE STONNE WITH AIKIN'S ESSAYS ON SONG-WRITING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |