Author: GUY HARLING
Title: [Manuscript Poem] Confessions of a Married Man.
Description: 1848. Single sheet folded to 180 x 110 mm. Old folds and a little spotted and creased. This item may have at some time been mounted and will bear traces on the reverse of adhesive or removal of mounts. Worth quoting in full I think: Surrounded by a troop of brats Which come and swarm like mice or rats In house where they keep no cats I sit me down and sigh. I could have borne with One or Two, But what with such a monstrous crew Of tender annuals I shall do, Is quite a mystery. 2. Two little urchins at a birth Oh that King Herod were on earth! For granting numbers add to mirth, Fewer have better fare. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 - Each wanting knife and fork and plate - Oh why will friends congratulate On each access of care? 3. Some try to cheer me, if they can While counting up the little clan By quoting - "Happy is the man That fully stocks his quiver." Some greet with smiles, some taunt with grins, Some talk about the Heavenly Twins> while others (God forgive their sins) Cry pitch 'em in the river. 4. Some beg to nurse the darling pets, Some stare to see two bassinets And if at times their mother frets To think what will become of 'em, They say (to lull her fears to rest) Large families get on the best, And should you really be distressed Friends will provide for some of 'em. 5. Yet see joint stocks - how oft they break> And oh! my heart begins to ache Lest mine should follow in the wake, Since some appear Invincible: And when they muster round to take Their little Dividend of cake, Oh! what a hole eight mouths will make, How soon consume the Principal. 6. And yet, albeit the Marriage state Has yielded me a firm of eight, I will not murmur at my fate, But meet it with a smile: And when some folks who have them not, Cry "what a number you have got"- I'll answer "come and see the lot, And help 'em o'er the stile."

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