Classic Poem

Young girls have their notions , we see every day,
And notions, why should they have not?
The world is but notions, Philosophers say,
And whims are humanity's lot.

A girl had a notion to love a young man,
And, who was the youngster — ? (say you)
He was a young blacksmith, for tell it I can,
But his name shall be kept out of view.

Yet the heart of the Blacksmith, as hard as a rock,
Refus'd to return her regard —
His door of affection he would not unlock,
Which the nymph took abundantly hard.

She vow'd that she lov'd him, and said with a squeal,
How blest might we travel thro' life,
Yourself at your anvil and I at my wheel,
The fondest and faithfullest wife!

But still he refused to comply with her wish,
And told her he did not admire —
Go, look somewhere else, he said, Madam Fish ,
Some lover to warm with your fire.

She griev'd and she groan'd, and had like to have died;
Some thought she would quickly depart:
But still she had left, in her bosom, some pride,
And slighted Letitia took heart.

With the earnings — not much — at her wheel she had made,
With dollars that long had laid by,
She bought her a ticket and angrily said,
My fortune, I vow, I will try! —

And Fortune, for once, was propitious and kind —
This spinster so humble and poor,
Drew a prize — and a prize that was much to her mind —
Some thousands, at least, we are sure.

The prize it was such as a king would be proud
To receive — or a Princess implore —
It enabled Letitia (et ceteras allowed)
To ride in a chariot and four!

The Blacksmith aghast! — heard the news, with a groan,
But went cap-in-hand to her door:
He met her, and said, I have come to atone,
For the love that I slighted before.

I lov'd you too well! — I was only in jest
When I told you I could not admire ;
I only was waiting to be the more blest
When the days of my service expire. —

She answered — your usage I now will repay;
When I lov'd you, why did you love not?
Your hand should have join'd to my hand on that day,
Should have struck when the iron was hot!