Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The Belle's Soliloquy

Heigh ho! well, the season's over!
    Once again we've come to Lent!
Programme's changed from balls and parties--
    Now we're ordered to repent.
Forty days of self-denial!
    Tell you what I think it pays--
Know't'l freshen my complexion
    Going slow for forty days.

No more savory French suppers--
    Such as Madame R-- can give.
Well, I need a little thinning--
    Just a trifle--sure's you live!
Sometimes been afraid my plumpness
    Might grow into downright fat.
Rector urges need of fasting--
    Think there's lot of truth in that.

We must meditate, he tells us,
    On our several acts of sin.
And repent them. Let me see now--
    Whereabouts shall I begin!
Flirting--yes, they say 'tis wicked;
    Well, I'm awful penitent.
(Wonder if my handsome major
    Goes to early Mass through Lent?)

Love of dress! I'm guilty there too--
    Guess it's my besetting sin.
Still I'm somewhat like the lilies,
    For I neither toil nor spin.
Forty days I'll wear my plainest--
    Could repentance be more true?
What a saving on my dresses!
    They'll make over just like new.

Pride, and worldliness and all that,
    Rector bade us pray about
Every day through Lenten season,
    And I mean to be devout!
Papa always talks retrenchment--
    Lent is just the very thing.
Hope he'll get enough in pocket
    So we'll move up town next spring. 

1. The Birth of the Orchid
2. The Black Charger
3. The Call (All wantonly in hours of joy)
4. Be Not Attached
5. Behold the Earth

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