Sarah Williams (“Sadie”) (1841–1868)

(From “Child Poems”)

MARJORY made her a wedding feast,

“And I am to be the bride,” said she.

“Wait for the bridegroom,” was whispered then;

“What does that matter?” said Marjorie.

Marjory gathered the peaches fine,

That dropped in the sun behind the tree.

“Where is your husband to share the feast?”

“I can eat peaches,” said Marjorie.

Feasting makes fractious, and some one said,

“The wives that are beaten, better be.”

Marjory kissed at the mirror’s face;

“There is my beating,” said Marjorie.

“If you were pretty, would you be good?”

So somebody said to Marjory.

“I cannot tell,” said the maiden wild;

“Plenty of people are good, you see.”

Softly the sunset crept over the hill,

Soft, like a shadow-land, glistened the sea;

Two little hands ’neath a head bent down:

“I am so tired!” said Marjorie.