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Poem
February 23, 1769
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical poem using the simile of kittens tied by their tails to illustrate how a marriage motivated by interest turns to hatred and domestic strife between Gabriel and Kate.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER:
Marriage for Interest, Illustrated by a Simile.
COME and behold, good brother Hugh,
Thee wanton kittens purr and mew,
And with each other play;
Gabriel thus, and Kate so coy,
With various sports the hours employ,
And chide the fleeting day.
But now, suppose these cats we take,
And throw them cross a stick or rake,
Each tied to other's tail:
The sportive play will quickly end,
Each for a foe will take its friend,
And fight with tooth and nail.
And this will be our lovers' fate
(Love, raised by interest, turns to hate)
When they are man and wife;
He'll soon perceive her want of charms,
And she a baby in her arms
(Whence springs domestic strife)
Gabriel will elate, stamp, and swear,
Kitty will claw, and scratch, and tear;
E'en this will be their life.
Marriage for Interest, Illustrated by a Simile.
COME and behold, good brother Hugh,
Thee wanton kittens purr and mew,
And with each other play;
Gabriel thus, and Kate so coy,
With various sports the hours employ,
And chide the fleeting day.
But now, suppose these cats we take,
And throw them cross a stick or rake,
Each tied to other's tail:
The sportive play will quickly end,
Each for a foe will take its friend,
And fight with tooth and nail.
And this will be our lovers' fate
(Love, raised by interest, turns to hate)
When they are man and wife;
He'll soon perceive her want of charms,
And she a baby in her arms
(Whence springs domestic strife)
Gabriel will elate, stamp, and swear,
Kitty will claw, and scratch, and tear;
E'en this will be their life.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Marriage Interest
Satirical Simile
Domestic Strife
Kittens Tails
Love To Hate
Poem Details
Title
Marriage For Interest, Illustrated By A Simile.
Subject
Satire On Marriage For Interest
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
And This Will Be Our Lovers' Fate
(Love, Raised By Interest, Turns To Hate)
When They Are Man And Wife;
Each Tied To Other's Tail:
The Sportive Play Will Quickly End,
Each For A Foe Will Take Its Friend,
And Fight With Tooth And Nail.