The Retort
Old Birch, who taught the village school,
Wedded a maid of homespun habit;
He was as stubborn as a mule,
And she as playful as a rabbit.
Poor Kate had scarce become a wife
Before her husband sought to make her
The pink of country polished life,
And prim and formal as a Quaker.
One day the tutor went abroad,
And simple Katie sadly missed him,
When he returned, behind her lord
She shyly stole, and fondly kissed him.
The husband’s anger rose, and red
And white his face alternate grew:
“Less freedom, ma’am!” Kate sighed and said,
“O, dear! I didn’t know ’t was you!”