The Family Skeleton

From “Modern Love” AT dinner she is hostess, I am host. Went the feast ever cheerfuller? She keeps The topic over intellectual deeps In buoyancy afloat. They see no ghost. With sparkling surface-eyes we ply the ball: It is in truth a most contagious game; HIDING THE SKELETON shall be its name. Such play as this the devils might appall! But here ’s the greater wonder; in that we, Enamored of our acting and our wits, Admire each other like true hypocrites. Warm-lighted glances, Love’s Ephemeræ, Shoot gayly o’er the dishes and the wine. We waken envy of our happy lot. Fast, sweet, and golden, shows our marriage-knot. Dear guests, you now have seen Love’s corpse-light shine!

Collection: 
English
1848
George Meredith
Sub Title: 
Poems of Sentiment: II. Life

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