"He shan't be their namesake, the rather
That both are such opulent men:
His name shall be that of his father,—
My Benjamin—shortened to Ben.
"Yes, Ben, though it cost him a portion
In each of my relative's wills,
I scorn such baptismal extortion—
(That creaking of boots must be Squills).
"It is clear, though his means may be narrow,
This infant his age will adorn;
I shall send him to Oxford from Harrow,—
I wonder how soon he'll be born!"
A spouse thus was airing his fancies
Below—'twas a labour of love,—
And calmly reflecting on Nancy's
More practical labour above;
Yet while it so pleased him to ponder,
Elated, at ease, and alone;
That pale, patient victim up yonder
Had budding delights of her own;
Sweet thoughts, in their essence diviner
Than paltry ambition and pelf;
A cherub, no babe will be finer,
Invented and nursed by herself.
One breakfasting, dining, and teaing,
With appetite nought can appease,
And quite a young Reasoning Being
When called on to yawn and to sneeze.
What cares that heart, trusting and tender,
For fame or avuncular wills!
Except for the name and the gender,
She is almost as tranquil as Squills.
That father, in reverie centered,
Dumbfoundered, his thoughts in a whirl,
Heard Squills, as the creaking boots entered,
Announce that his Boy was—a Girl.