Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HYMENEAL RETROSPECTIONS, by THOMAS HOOD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HYMENEAL RETROSPECTIONS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O kate! My dear partner, through joy and through strife
Last Line: "god bless you, dear, good-night!"
Subject(s): Aging; Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


I.

OKATE! my dear Partner, through joy and through strife
When I look back at Hymen's dear day,
Not a lovelier bride ever changed to a wife,
Though you're now so old, wizen'd, and gray!

Those eyes, then, were stars, shining rulers of fate!
But as liquid as stars in a pool;
Though now they're so dim, they appear, my dear Kate,
Just like gooseberries boil'd for a fool!

That brow was like marble, so smooth and so fair;
Though it's wrinkled so crookedly now,
As if Time, when those furrows were made by the share,
Had been tipsy whilst driving his plough!

Your nose, it was such as the sculptors all chose,
When a Venus demanded their skill;
Though now it can hardly be reckon'd a nose,
But a sort of Poll-Parroty bill!

Your mouth, it was then quite a bait for the bees,
Such a nectar there hung on each lip;
Though now it has taken that lemon-like squeeze,
Not a blue-bottle comes for a sip!

Your chin, it was one of Love's favourite haunts
From its dimple he could not get loose;
Though now the neat hand of a barber it wants,
Or a singe, like the breast of a goose!

How rich were those locks, so abundant and full,
With their ringlets of auburn so deep!
Though now they look only like frizzles of wool,
By a bramble torn off from a sheep!

That neck, not a swan could excel it in grace,
While in whiteness it vied with your arms;
Though now a grave 'kerchief you properly place,
To conceal the scrag-end of your charms!

Your figure was tall, then, and perfectly straight,
Though it now has two twists from upright --
But bless you! still bless you! my Partner! my Kate!
Though you be such a perfect old fright!

II.

The sun was slumbering in the West,
My daily labours past;
On Anna's soft and gentle breast
My head reclined at last; --
The darkness closed around so dear
To fond congenial souls,
And thus she murmur'd at my ear,
"My love, we're out of coals!" --

"That Mister Bond has call'd again,
Insisting on his rent;
And all the Todds are coming up
To see us out of Kent; --
I quite forgot to tell you John
Has had a tipsy fall; --
I'm sure there's something going on
With that vile Mary Hall!"

"Miss Bell has bought the sweetest silk,
And I have bought the rest --
Of course, if we go out of town,
Southend will be the best, --
I really think the Jones's house
Would be the thing for us; --
I think I told you, Mrs. Pope
Has parted with her nus -----"

"Cook, by the way, came up to-day
To bid me suit myself --
And what d'ye think? the rats have gnawed
The victuals on the shelf. --

And Lord! there's such a letter come,
Inviting you to fight!
Of course you don't intend to go --
God bless you, dear, good-night!"





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