0
   

"Perhaps the Vicar's mother will not call"

 
 
Reply Sat 15 Jan, 2005 06:46 pm
Can anyone give me a clue to the rest of this light verse? The last three lines are:

Perhaps the Vicar's mother will not call.
I see a little cloud, all pink and gray.
Perhaps I will not kill myself today.

I cannot remember the author, try as I may; I think it may have been a woman. The poem itself is short; perhaps 10 lines or less.
black humor, but a well-crafted bit of formal light verse.
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Discussion • Score: 0 • Views: 1,269 • Replies: 4
No top replies

 
Tomkitten
 
  1  
Reply Sat 15 Jan, 2005 06:51 pm
"Perhaps the Vicar's mother will not call"
Further tip: I think it's probably in rondel or rondeau form.
0 Replies
 
Golden Bough
 
  1  
Reply Thu 17 Feb, 2005 02:16 pm
This is somewhat like the one you are thinking of:

A BALLADE OF SUICIDE

The gallows in my garden, people say,
Is new and neat and adequately tall.
I tie the noose on in a knowing way
As one that knots his necktie for a ball;
But just as all the neighbors - on the wall -
Are drawing a long breath to shout "Hurray!"
The strangest whim has seized me . . . After all
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

To-morrow is the time I get my pay -
My uncle's sword is hanging in the hall -
I see a little cloud all pink and gray -
Perhaps the rector's mother will not call -
I fancy that I heard from Mr. Gall
That mushrooms could be cooked another way -
I never read the works of Juvenal -
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

The world will have another washing day;
The decadents decay; the pedants pall;
And H. G. Wells has found that children play,
And Bernard Shaw discovered that they squall;
Rationalists are growing rational -
And through thick woods one finds a stream astray,
So secret that the very sky seems small -
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

ENVOI
Prince, I can hear the trumpet of Germinal,
The tumbrils toiling up the terrible way;
Even to-day your royal head may fall -
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton [1874-1936]
0 Replies
 
Bekaboo
 
  1  
Reply Thu 17 Feb, 2005 02:31 pm
GK Chesterton i believe...

A Ballade of Suicide
G.K. Chesterton

The gallows in my garden, people say,
Is new and neat and adequately tall;
I tie the noose on in a knowing way
As one that knots his necktie for a ball;
But just as all the neighbours on the wall
Are drawing a long breath to shout "Hurray!"
The strangest whim has seized me. . . After all
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

To-morrow is the time I get my pay
My uncle's sword is hanging in the hall
I see a little cloud all pink and grey
Perhaps the rector's mother will NOT call
I fancy that I heard from Mr. Gall
That mushrooms could be cooked another way
I never read the works of Juvenal
I think I will not hang myself to-day.

The world will have another washing-day;
The decadents decay; the pedants pall;
And H.G. Wells has found that children play,
And Bernard Shaw discovered that they squall;
Rationalists are growing rational
And through thick woods one finds a stream astray,
So secret that the very sky seems small
I think I will not hang myself to-day.
0 Replies
 
Tomkitten
 
  1  
Reply Thu 17 Feb, 2005 02:51 pm
Perhpas the Vicar's mother
That's it! I'd forgotten it was a ballade. And I should have remembered Chesterton.

Thanks very much. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

Your Quote of the Day - Discussion by edgarblythe
Poo-tee-weet? - Question by boomerang
can anyone help me with this quote - Question by ritchielmk
Quotes...not exactly correct. - Question by Frank Apisa
Post your favorite tv shows Quotes? - Question by makwarne01
looking for a peace offering quotes - Question by aycelsanorjo
Looking for a particular quote... - Discussion by LocalHero
 
  1. Forums
  2. » "Perhaps the Vicar's mother will not call"
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.03 seconds on 05/03/2024 at 09:08:14