Poetical Epistle to Mrs. Green
Poetical Epistle to Mrs. Green
Original Text
The Olio: being a Collection of Essays, Dialogues, Letters, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, Pieces of Poetry, Parodies, Bon Mots, Epigrams, Epitaphs, &c. Chiefly Original. By the Late Francis Grose (London: S. Hooper, 1792): 104. 7720.d.685 Cambridge University Library
1Hoping no offence, my dear Madam Green,
2You're surely the strangest gentlewoman that ever was seen;
3Didn't you say you'd come and see my drawings, and eat some of my plumb cake,
4Here I've kept it above a week, and all for your sake,
5And now it's as hard as a stone, and not worth a pin,
6To waste so fine a cake is I'm sure both a shame and a sin.
7Besides, I've staid at home waiting for you morning after morning,
8But I shan't do so again, and of that I now give you warning.
9Indeed I consider this matter in a very serious light,
10And you yourself can't say, it was at all behaving right:
11So if you don't come very soon, by way of amends,
12I can assure you, you and I will not be much longer friends:
13But when you come, don't bring any of your brats,
14For I hate little children as much as you do cats.
15So hoping that of engagements in future you'll be more observant,
16I am, Madam, your most obedient humble servant.
Publication Start Year
1792
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2002
Rhyme