The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

THE UNHAPPY FIRE-SIDE

'Twas the fire, and foul the hearth;
In ev'ry face was written dearth;
Within the wretched lodging:
On this side noisy naked brats,
On that, starv'd dogs and half-burnt cats;
Of cold and hunger grudging.
An earthern lamp, from footy block.
Shone faintly thro' thick clouds of smoke;
To light the coal black room:
Where one, with wat'ry eyes, might spy
Pale want in horrid majesty
Amid the dismal gloom.
When Tom approach'd the homely door;
His clam'rous wife began to roar,
Thou whelp of sin and hell!
Where have you been? gallanting whores?
Or running into ale-wives' scores
The dev'l and you can tell!
Thus all day long, and ev'ry day
Thou squander'st time and wealth away.
And at full freedom roam;
Whilst I must wallow like a sow,
Providing for your brats and you,
And be a slave at home.
Egyptian plagues seize on the wretch,
That me'advis'd with you to match
Against my inclination!
For now I feel to my sad cost,
My friends are fled, my freedom lost,
My wealth and reputation,
When all her thunder bolts were spent,
And spleen and rage had found a vent,
She ceas'd-and took fresh air.
With piercing groans, and bursting sighs,
And anguish sparkling in his eyes,
Which witness'd strong despair.
Tom said; bear witness, mighty Jove;
And ye tremendous pow'rs above!
If I deserve such treatment!
For were my most malignant foes
Involv'd in such a group of woes,
I'd pray for their abatement.
To num'rous offspring, empty purse,
And wife accumulated curse!
I'm ty'd with chain and padlock:
Curse on that silly am'rous hour.
That from my reason wrench'd its pow'r,
And gull'd me into wedlock.