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Poem
December 25, 1821
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A poem featuring Eliza's lament about remaining unmarried after years of waiting, highlighting gender differences in courtship, and advising young women to embrace marriage over single life. Attributed to OSCAR from the Albany Microscope.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Albany Microscope.
"Oh, dear!" said Eliza, "I long to be married
My case is quite different from that of a man;
These five years, or longer, with patience I've tarried.
And am but just where I was when I began.
"I once had an offer 'tis true, but rejected,
Presuming I'd get one better suiting my mind;
So long have I waited I feel quite dejected-
My schemes they all fail, when to wed I'm inclin'd.
"A man may go courting and see whom he pleases,
While I remain home, and am shun'd by them all;
If he chooses, he marries-if not, why he teases;
Both young and old pass me, an old maid as they call."
Then beware, lovely maiden, if not like Eliza.
You'd wish to live single, and thus pend your life;
Be modest and frugal, be virtuous, 'tis wiser;
T' exchange single pleasures for those of a wife.
OSCAR.
"Oh, dear!" said Eliza, "I long to be married
My case is quite different from that of a man;
These five years, or longer, with patience I've tarried.
And am but just where I was when I began.
"I once had an offer 'tis true, but rejected,
Presuming I'd get one better suiting my mind;
So long have I waited I feel quite dejected-
My schemes they all fail, when to wed I'm inclin'd.
"A man may go courting and see whom he pleases,
While I remain home, and am shun'd by them all;
If he chooses, he marries-if not, why he teases;
Both young and old pass me, an old maid as they call."
Then beware, lovely maiden, if not like Eliza.
You'd wish to live single, and thus pend your life;
Be modest and frugal, be virtuous, 'tis wiser;
T' exchange single pleasures for those of a wife.
OSCAR.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Old Maid
Marriage Lament
Courtship Gender
Moral Advice
Single Life
What entities or persons were involved?
Oscar.
Poem Details
Author
Oscar.
Subject
Lament Of An Old Maid On Marriage
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"Oh, Dear!" Said Eliza, "I Long To Be Married
"A Man May Go Courting And See Whom He Pleases,
Both Young And Old Pass Me, An Old Maid As They Call."
Then Beware, Lovely Maiden, If Not Like Eliza.
T' Exchange Single Pleasures For Those Of A Wife.