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Poem
March 22, 1839
Southern Christian Advocate
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
A wife's poetic appeal to her husband, Collin, expressing her devotion, shared hardships, and request for more time together at home instead of at clubs, emphasizing companionship in their modest life.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
LADIES.
The following is a pretty thing, and worth reading to husbands who are in the habit of staying away from home and discussing the affairs of the nation.
THE POOR WOMAN'S APPEAL TO HER HUSBAND.
You took me, Collin, when a girl,
Unto your home and heart,
To bear in all your after fate,
A fond and faithful part:
And tell me, have I ever tried,
That duty to forego—
Or pined there was not joy for me,
When you was sunk in woe.
No, I would rather share your grief,
Than any other's glee.
For though you're nothing to the world,
You're all the world to me.
You make a palace of my shed—
This rough hewn bench a throne,
There's sunlight for me in your smile,
And music in your tone.
I look upon you when you sleep,
My eyes with tears grow dim,
I cry "O Parent of the poor,
Look down from heaven on him;
Behold him toil from day to day,
Exhausting strength and soul—
Look down in mercy on him, Lord,
For thou can'st make him whole."
And when at last relieving sleep
Has on thy eyelids smil'd,
How oft are they forbid to close
In slumber by my child?
I take the little murmurer
That spoils my span of rest,
I feel it is a part of thee,
I lull upon my breast.
There's only one return I crave—
I may not crave it long—
And it may soothe thee when I'm where
The wretched feel no wrong:
I ask not for a kinder tone,
For thou wert ever kind,
I ask not for less frugal fare,
My fare, I do not mind.
I ask not for more gay attire,
If such as I have got
Suffice to make me fair to thee,
For more, I murmur not.
But I would ask a share of hours
That you at clubs bestow—
Of knowledge that you prize so much,
May I not something know?
Subtract from meetings among men
Each eve an hour for me—
Make me companion of your soul
As I may surely be.
If you will read, I'll sit and work;
Then think when you're away.
Less tedious I shall find the time,
Dear Collin, of your stay.
A meet companion soon I'll be,
E'en for your studious hours,
And teacher of those little ones
You call your cottage flowers—
And if we be not rich and great,
We may be wise and kind,
And as my heart can warm your heart,
So may your mind my mind.
The following is a pretty thing, and worth reading to husbands who are in the habit of staying away from home and discussing the affairs of the nation.
THE POOR WOMAN'S APPEAL TO HER HUSBAND.
You took me, Collin, when a girl,
Unto your home and heart,
To bear in all your after fate,
A fond and faithful part:
And tell me, have I ever tried,
That duty to forego—
Or pined there was not joy for me,
When you was sunk in woe.
No, I would rather share your grief,
Than any other's glee.
For though you're nothing to the world,
You're all the world to me.
You make a palace of my shed—
This rough hewn bench a throne,
There's sunlight for me in your smile,
And music in your tone.
I look upon you when you sleep,
My eyes with tears grow dim,
I cry "O Parent of the poor,
Look down from heaven on him;
Behold him toil from day to day,
Exhausting strength and soul—
Look down in mercy on him, Lord,
For thou can'st make him whole."
And when at last relieving sleep
Has on thy eyelids smil'd,
How oft are they forbid to close
In slumber by my child?
I take the little murmurer
That spoils my span of rest,
I feel it is a part of thee,
I lull upon my breast.
There's only one return I crave—
I may not crave it long—
And it may soothe thee when I'm where
The wretched feel no wrong:
I ask not for a kinder tone,
For thou wert ever kind,
I ask not for less frugal fare,
My fare, I do not mind.
I ask not for more gay attire,
If such as I have got
Suffice to make me fair to thee,
For more, I murmur not.
But I would ask a share of hours
That you at clubs bestow—
Of knowledge that you prize so much,
May I not something know?
Subtract from meetings among men
Each eve an hour for me—
Make me companion of your soul
As I may surely be.
If you will read, I'll sit and work;
Then think when you're away.
Less tedious I shall find the time,
Dear Collin, of your stay.
A meet companion soon I'll be,
E'en for your studious hours,
And teacher of those little ones
You call your cottage flowers—
And if we be not rich and great,
We may be wise and kind,
And as my heart can warm your heart,
So may your mind my mind.
What sub-type of article is it?
Verse Letter
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Wife Appeal
Husband Collin
Domestic Companionship
Shared Grief
Clubs Meetings
Cottage Life
Moral Duty
Poem Details
Title
The Poor Woman's Appeal To Her Husband.
Subject
Appeal To Husband For Companionship
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
No, I Would Rather Share Your Grief,
Than Any Other's Glee.
For Though You're Nothing To The World,
You're All The World To Me.
But I Would Ask A Share Of Hours
That You At Clubs Bestow—
Of Knowledge That You Prize So Much,
May I Not Something Know?
Make Me Companion Of Your Soul
As I May Surely Be.
If You Will Read, I'll Sit And Work;
Then Think When You're Away.