A Domestic Tragedy
Robert William Service 1874 – 1958
Clorinda met me on the way
As I came from the train;
Her face was anything but gay,
In fact, suggested pain.
"Oh hubby, hubby dear!" she cried,
"I've awful news to tell. . . ."
"What is it, darling?" I replied;
"Your mother -- is she well?"
"Oh no! oh no! it is not that,
It's something else," she wailed,
My heart was beating pit-a-pat,
My ruddy visage paled.
Like lightning flash in heaven's dome
The fear within me woke:
"Don't say," I cried, "our little home
Has all gone up in smoke!"
She shook her head. Oh, swift I clasped
And held her to my breast;
"The children! Tell me quick," I gasped,
"Believe me, it is best."
Then, then she spoke; 'mid sobs I caught
These words of woe divine:
"It's coo-coo-cook has gone and bought
A new hat just like mine."
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 06, 2023
- 44 sec read
- 128 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | ABABCDCD EFEFGHGH IJIJKLKL |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 742 |
Words | 154 |
Stanzas | 3 |
Stanza Lengths | 8, 8, 8 |
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