Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
The Way of the World
By John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887)A
For fair and fond was she;
But she was rich, and he was poor,
And so it might not be.
A lady never could wear—
Her mother held it firm—
A gown that came of an India plant,
Instead of an India worm!
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.
For fair and fond was she;
But he was high and she was low,
And so it might not be.
A man who had worn a spur,
In ancient battle won,
Had sent it down with great renown,
To goad his future son!
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.
For fair and fond was she;
But their sires disputed about the Mass,
And so it might not be.
A couple of wicked kings,
Three hundred years agone,
Had played at a royal game of chess,
And the Church had been a pawn.
And so the cruel word was spoken;
And so it was two hearts were broken.