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Poem
June 7, 1823
Edwardsville Spectator
Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
What is this article about?
Humorous satirical poem praising the joys of bachelor life—freedom, variety, and pleasures—while mocking the torments of marriage, including clamorous wives, troublesome children, and financial ruin.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
From the London Monthly Magazine.
BACHELOR'S FARE.
Funny and free are a Bachelor's reveries,
Cheerily, merrily passes his life;
Nothing knows he of connubial devilries.
Troublesome children and clamorous wife.
Free from satiety, care and anxiety,
Charms in variety fall to his share :
Bacchus's blisses, and Venus's kisses,
This, boys, this is the Bachelor's fare.
A wife, like a canister, chattering, clattering
Tied to a dog for his torment and dread,
All bespattering, bumping and battering,
Hurries and worries him till he is dead,
Old one's are two devils haunted with blue devils,
Young ones are new devils raising despair,
Doctors and nurses combining their curses,
Adieu to full purses and Bachelor's fare.
Through such folly, days, once sweet holy-days
Soon are embittered by wrangling and strife,
Wives turn jolly days to melancholy days,
All perplexing and vexing one's life;
Children are riotous, maid-servants fly at us,
Mammy to quiet us, growls like a bear ;
Polly is squalling, and Molly is bawling,
While dad is recalling his bachelor's fare.
When they are older grown then they are
bolder grown,
Turning your temper and spurning your rule;
Girls through foolishness, passion, or mulishness,
Parry your wishes and marry a fool.
Boys will anticipate, lavish, and dissipate,
All that your busy pate hoarded with care ;
Then tell me what jollity, fun and frivolity,
Equals in quality the Bachelor's fare.
From the London Monthly Magazine.
BACHELOR'S FARE.
Funny and free are a Bachelor's reveries,
Cheerily, merrily passes his life;
Nothing knows he of connubial devilries.
Troublesome children and clamorous wife.
Free from satiety, care and anxiety,
Charms in variety fall to his share :
Bacchus's blisses, and Venus's kisses,
This, boys, this is the Bachelor's fare.
A wife, like a canister, chattering, clattering
Tied to a dog for his torment and dread,
All bespattering, bumping and battering,
Hurries and worries him till he is dead,
Old one's are two devils haunted with blue devils,
Young ones are new devils raising despair,
Doctors and nurses combining their curses,
Adieu to full purses and Bachelor's fare.
Through such folly, days, once sweet holy-days
Soon are embittered by wrangling and strife,
Wives turn jolly days to melancholy days,
All perplexing and vexing one's life;
Children are riotous, maid-servants fly at us,
Mammy to quiet us, growls like a bear ;
Polly is squalling, and Molly is bawling,
While dad is recalling his bachelor's fare.
When they are older grown then they are
bolder grown,
Turning your temper and spurning your rule;
Girls through foolishness, passion, or mulishness,
Parry your wishes and marry a fool.
Boys will anticipate, lavish, and dissipate,
All that your busy pate hoarded with care ;
Then tell me what jollity, fun and frivolity,
Equals in quality the Bachelor's fare.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Song
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Bachelor Life
Marriage Satire
Domestic Troubles
Family Woes
Satirical Verse
Poem Details
Title
Bachelor's Fare
Subject
Satire On Marriage And Family Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Funny And Free Are A Bachelor's Reveries,
Cheerily, Merrily Passes His Life;
Nothing Knows He Of Connubial Devilries.
Troublesome Children And Clamorous Wife.
Bacchus's Blisses, And Venus's Kisses,
This, Boys, This Is The Bachelor's Fare.
A Wife, Like A Canister, Chattering, Clattering
Tied To A Dog For His Torment And Dread,
Then Tell Me What Jollity, Fun And Frivolity,
Equals In Quality The Bachelor's Fare.