English poem
A PARAPHRASE
by Roswell Martin Field (1851–1919)
How happens it, my cruel miss, You're always giving me the mitten? You seem to have forgotten this: That you no longer are a kitten!
A woman that has reached the years Of that which people call discretion Should put aside all childish fears And see in courtship no transgression.
A mother's solace may be sweet, But Hymen's tenderness is sweeter, And though all virile love be meet, You'll find the poet's love is metre.