Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/304

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GRANDMOTHER'S LOVE-LETTER.

I wonder if olden-time lovers
Had tender and sweet things to say—
To think that this same "George" was grandpa,
Not gouty, nor halting, nor gray!

"My darling Amelia"—that's grandma;
Just fancy the blessed old dear
Being young and the belle of the village,
In a bonnet and mantle so queer!—
"My darling Amelia,

Without you
I find the days weary and long;"
This sounds very like Charlie's letter.
Do they all sing the very same song?

Oh, grandpa, to think of your writing
Such terrible nonsense as this,
About "love in a cottage," to grandma,
With such a big "B" to the "bliss"!
Oh, you promise,

"Most lovely Amelia,
The winds shall not roughen your cheek;"
But, grandpa, how then did it happen
You let her bring wood for a week?

I read: "When I win you, my darling,
I'll guard you and keep you from care."
Oh, grandpa, who cured all the bacon?
Who washed out the place for the fair?
"Ever sleeping or waking, Amelia,
I'll keep thee from harm evermore."