PHILIP RAY and Enoch Arden Both were "spoons" on Annie Lee. Phil did not fulfil her notion -- She preferred to wed with E. Him she married and she bore him Pretty little children three; But becoming short of "rhino," Enoch started off for sea, Leaving Mrs. Arden mistress Of a well-stocked village shop, Selling butter, soap, and treacle, Beeswax, whipcord, lollipop. Ten long years she waited for him, But he neither came nor wrote; Therefore she concluded Enoch Could no longer be afloat. So when Philip came to ask her If she would be Mrs. Ray, She, believing herself widowed, Could not say her suitor nay. So a second time she married, Gave up selling bread and cheese -- And in due time Philip nursed A little Ray upon his knees. But, alas! the long-lost Enoch Turn'd up unexpectedly, And was vastly disconcerted At this act of bigamy. But on thinking o'er the matter, He determined to atone For his lengthen'd absence from her By just leaving well alone. So he took to bed and dwindled Down to something like a shade; Settled with his good landlady, Then the debt of nature paid. And when both the Rays discovered How poor Enoch's life had ended, They came down in handsome manner, And gave his corpse a fun'ral splendid. This is all I know about it. If it's not sufficient, write By next mail to Alfred Tenny son, M. P., Isle of Wight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEVOURER OF NATIONS by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD by HAYDEN CARRUTH POETS ARE BORN NOT MADE by ROBERT FROST ABOVE HALF MOON by JAMES GALVIN SURFACES AND MASKS; 6 by CLARENCE MAJOR THE PICTURE (VENUS RECLINING) by EZRA POUND |