When do a daughters duties cease Story poem

narrative verse

 

When do a daughters duties cease?

 

Wilt thou remain immaculate?

 enamoured of the virgin state.

Remain always inviolate.

 Art thou so sure this is thy fate?

 

Wilt thou reject matrimony

 to moulder in some nunnery

Thou shouldst consider carefully

What such a future holds for thee.

 

Or is it as thy sire says.

That passing time will change thy ways

Endowing thee with greater grace.

Prepared to take thy rightful place.

 

Thy sire hath great plans for thee.

To see thee married happily

accepted by society.

This the future he can see.

 

Forget thy childish fantasy

Thou clingest to so stubbornly.

A cloistered life is not for thee

Thou lovest not austerity.

 

He now accepts regretfully

he overspent outrageously

To get thee wed successfully

The price of pride is penury.

 

To have a titled son in law

Won’t keep the bailiff from the door.

Nor satisfy his creditors

 who hound him now without remorse.

 

Is it beneath thy dignity

 to make some small enquiry.

 To find out how thy father fares

Try to relieve him of his cares.

 

Thou livest now in luxury

 whilst he must live in poverty

Hast thou forgot so easily

All that thy sire did for thee.

 

Although he acted foolishly

 All that he did he did for thee.

He well deserves thy gratitude

 and not thy thoughtless attitude.

 

Thou art a titled lady now

Perhaps thy husband will allow

thee to show thy sire the respect

 he is entitled to expect.

 

Restore his fortunes so he can

 although a sadder wiser man.

Again hold up his head with pride.

I pray that thou wilt so decide.

 

If not for love for charity

 He seeketh not thy sympathy.

 Nor does he seek for recompense

He did it all for love of thee.

 

The lady acted with all speed

 she and her husband both agreed.

Her sire should reside with them

It was the perfect stratagem.

 

She thought her sire could agree

 and still retain his dignity

 and so it was she could repay

 her father’s kindness in this way.

 

 Is there a moral to this tale

 or do I write to no avail.

I do not know you must decide

Was honour truly satisfied?

 

17/07/2009

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