Welcome to Episode 2 of The Matrimonial Ladder, a rare Regency proto-graphic novel first published in 1825. If you have not yet read Part 1, I suggest you click on The Matrimonial Ladder in the sidebar and scroll down to it first.
Last week, we left Henry declaring his interest to Maria. But she hesitates.
Last week, we left Henry declaring his interest to Maria. But she hesitates.
Hesitation
Her sweet joy with soft confusion veils,
Miss gently checks her swain’s romantic tales.
She’s sure mama will think these raptures wild
She knows not how to act, she’s quite a child
Her sweet joy with soft confusion veils,
Miss gently checks her swain’s romantic tales.
She’s sure mama will think these raptures wild
She knows not how to act, she’s quite a child
Henry is not daunted He persists and his suit is finally successful.
Agitation
With sighs and vows persists the wounded swain,
Begs she’ll recall those words, and think again,
Fearful of frowns or veto from mamma,
The softening nymph refers him to papa.
With sighs and vows persists the wounded swain,
Begs she’ll recall those words, and think again,
Fearful of frowns or veto from mamma,
The softening nymph refers him to papa.
Acceptation
Joy in his lips and rapture on his tongue,
On neat red tape his various parchments strung,
See Henry bears the mystic circlet high,
Which bids hope’s tide flow strong, his terrors fly.
Joy in his lips and rapture on his tongue,
On neat red tape his various parchments strung,
See Henry bears the mystic circlet high,
Which bids hope’s tide flow strong, his terrors fly.
And so to church. But the author sounds an ominous note.
Solemnization
At church arrived on some unlucky day,
Poor Maria faulters out the word obey.
Thus of Loves Ladder gained the topmost place,
Her downward course the sorrowing muse must trace
At church arrived on some unlucky day,
Poor Maria faulters out the word obey.
Thus of Loves Ladder gained the topmost place,
Her downward course the sorrowing muse must trace
And indeed it does not bode well for poor Maria.
Possession
Her Honeymoon and raptures fled together,
Behold a rural walk in dirty weather,
The stile is slippery but in vain the dame
Sues for that aid which once unasked for came.
And how will it be once they have returned home?
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In transcribing the text, I have kept to the original with its varied spellings etc.
If you want to be sure you do not miss an episode of this entertaining story, please subscribe to my newsletter or 'like' my Facebook author page fb.me/catherinekullmannauthor to be kept informed.
In transcribing the text, I have kept to the original with its varied spellings etc.