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Poem
October 31, 1875
The New Orleans Bulletin
New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
A lighthearted poem where a woman reflects on her lover stealing a rose and a kiss without asking, noting that asking might prompt refusal, but she would accept his marriage proposal.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ASKING.
He stole from my bodice a rose
My cheek was its color the while;
But, ah, the sly rogue! he well knows,
Had he ask'd it I must have said no.
He snatch'd from my lips a soft kiss;
I tried at a frown—'twas a smile;
For, ah, the sly rogue, he knows this,
Had he ask'd it I must have said no.
That "asking" in love's a mistake,
It puts one in mind to refuse;
'Tis best not to ask but to take,
For it saves one the need to say no.
Yet, stay—this is folly I've said:
Some things should be ask'd if desired;
My rogue hopes my promise to wed;
When he asks me I will not say no.
MARY COWEN CLARK.
He stole from my bodice a rose
My cheek was its color the while;
But, ah, the sly rogue! he well knows,
Had he ask'd it I must have said no.
He snatch'd from my lips a soft kiss;
I tried at a frown—'twas a smile;
For, ah, the sly rogue, he knows this,
Had he ask'd it I must have said no.
That "asking" in love's a mistake,
It puts one in mind to refuse;
'Tis best not to ask but to take,
For it saves one the need to say no.
Yet, stay—this is folly I've said:
Some things should be ask'd if desired;
My rogue hopes my promise to wed;
When he asks me I will not say no.
MARY COWEN CLARK.
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Love
Courtship
Asking
Kiss
Rose
Marriage Proposal
What entities or persons were involved?
Mary Cowen Clark.
Poem Details
Title
Asking.
Author
Mary Cowen Clark.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
He Stole From My Bodice A Rose
My Cheek Was Its Color The While;
But, Ah, The Sly Rogue! He Well Knows,
Had He Ask'd It I Must Have Said No.
That "Asking" In Love's A Mistake,
It Puts One In Mind To Refuse;
'Tis Best Not To Ask But To Take,
For It Saves One The Need To Say No.
When He Asks Me I Will Not Say No.