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Poem
July 5, 1853
The Woodville Republican, And Wilkinson Advertiser
Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
A satirical parody of Longfellow's 'A Psalm of Life,' where a young woman urges an old maid to pursue marriage, portraying single life as a delusion and matrimony as life's true purpose.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POETICAL.
PSALM OF LIFE-A Parody.
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG WOMAN SAID
TO THE OLD MAID.
Tell me not in idle jingle,
"Marriage is an empty dream!"
For the girl is dead that's single,
And girls are now what they seem.
Life is real! life is earnest!
Single blessedness a fib!
Man thou art, to man returnest,
Has been spoken of the rib.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow,
Finds us nearer marriage day.
Life is long, and youth is fleeting,
And our hearts though light and gay,
Still, like pleasant drums are beating
Wedding marches all the way.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb driven cattle!
But a heroine—a wife!
Trust no future, however pleasant!
Let the dead past bury its dead!
Act—act to the living present!
Heart within and hope ahead.
Lives of married folks reminds us
We can live our lives as well,
And, departing, leave behind us,
Such examples as shall "tell."
Such example, that another,
Wasting time in idle sport,
A forlorn, unmarried brother,
Seeing, shall take heart and court.
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart on triumph set;
Still contriving, still pursuing,
And each one a husband get!
PSALM OF LIFE-A Parody.
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG WOMAN SAID
TO THE OLD MAID.
Tell me not in idle jingle,
"Marriage is an empty dream!"
For the girl is dead that's single,
And girls are now what they seem.
Life is real! life is earnest!
Single blessedness a fib!
Man thou art, to man returnest,
Has been spoken of the rib.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow,
Finds us nearer marriage day.
Life is long, and youth is fleeting,
And our hearts though light and gay,
Still, like pleasant drums are beating
Wedding marches all the way.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb driven cattle!
But a heroine—a wife!
Trust no future, however pleasant!
Let the dead past bury its dead!
Act—act to the living present!
Heart within and hope ahead.
Lives of married folks reminds us
We can live our lives as well,
And, departing, leave behind us,
Such examples as shall "tell."
Such example, that another,
Wasting time in idle sport,
A forlorn, unmarried brother,
Seeing, shall take heart and court.
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart on triumph set;
Still contriving, still pursuing,
And each one a husband get!
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Marriage Celebration
Satire Society
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Parody Psalm Life
Marriage Encouragement
Single Blessedness
Young Woman Old Maid
Wedding Marches
Poem Details
Title
Psalm Of Life A Parody.
Subject
What The Heart Of The Young Woman Said To The Old Maid
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas Parodying A Psalm
Key Lines
Tell Me Not In Idle Jingle,
"Marriage Is An Empty Dream!"
For The Girl Is Dead That's Single,
And Girls Are Now What They Seem.
Life Is Real! Life Is Earnest!
Single Blessedness A Fib!
Man Thou Art, To Man Returnest,
Has Been Spoken Of The Rib.
Let Us Then Be Up And Doing,
With A Heart On Triumph Set;
Still Contriving, Still Pursuing,
And Each One A Husband Get!