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

Poems of reflection

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American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems of reflection
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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.

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American Literature – American Poetry – Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Poems of reflection

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Poems of reflection

The Belle’s Soliloquy

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