Akirill.com

Poem “The Belle’s Soliloquy” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Poems of reflection

Download PDF

American LiteratureAmerican PoetryElla Wheeler WilcoxPoems by Ella Wheeler WilcoxPoems of reflection
< < < Perished
My Vision > > >


The Belle’s Soliloquy


Heigh ho! well, the season’s over!
  Once again we’ve come to Lent!
Programme’s changed from balls and parties–
  Now we’re ordered to repent.
Forty days of self-denial!
  Tell you what I think it pays–
Know’t’l freshen my complexion
  Going slow for forty days.

No more savory Frenchy suppers–
  Such as Madame R– can give.
Well, I need a littlethinning
Just a trifle–sure’s you live!
Sometimes been afraid my plumpness
  Might grow into downright fat.
Rector urges need of fasting–
  Think there’s lot of truth in that.

We must meditate, he tells us,
  On our several acts of sin.
And repent them. Let me see now–
  Whereabouts shall I begin!
Flirting–yes, they say ’tis wicked;
  Well, I’m awful penitent.
(Wonder if my handsome major
  Goes to early Mass through Lent?)

Love of dress! I’m guilty there, too–
  Guess it’s my besetting sin.
Still I’m somewhat like the lilies,
  For I neither toil nor spin.
Forty days I’!! wear my plainest–
  Could repentance be more true?
What a saving on my dresses!
  They’ll make over just like new.

Pride, and worldliness and all that,
  Rector bade us pray about
Every day through Lenten season,
  And I mean to be devout!
Papa always talks retrenchment–
  Lent is just the very thing.
Hope he’!! get enough in pocket
  So we’!! move up town next spring.


< < < Perished
My Vision > > >

American LiteratureAmerican PoetryElla Wheeler WilcoxPoems by Ella Wheeler WilcoxPoems of reflection


Copyright holders –  Public Domain

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

© 2025 Akirill.com – All Rights Reserved

Leave a comment