A Wife's Protest
1.
Like a white snowdrop in the spring
From child to girl I grew,
And thought no thought, and heard no word
That was not pure and true.
2.
And when I came to seventeen,
And life was fair and free,
A suitor, by my father's leave,
Was brought one day to me.
3.
“Make me the happiest man on earth,”
He whispered soft and low.
My mother told me it was right
I was too young to know.
4.
And then they twined my bridal wreath
And placed it on my brow.
It seems like fifty years ago —
And I am twenty now.
5.
My star, that barely rose, is set;
My day of hope is done —
My woman's life of love and joy —
Ere it has scarce begun.
6.
Hourly I die — I do not live —
Though still so young and strong.
No dumb brute from his brother brutes
Endures such wanton wrong.
7.
A smouldering shame consumes me now —
It poisons all my peace;
An inward torment of reproach
That never more will cease.
8.
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poem by Ada Cambridge
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