Doggerel: A father's advice to his daughter

[indri]

A very early draft of what became "Cecily's Lament".

My father once sat me down in his study,
Saying, "Let prudence be your virtue,
Cecily, for 'though our name is old and proud
Preceding years have yet allowed
A failing of our fortunes' virility,
Due in some measure to impromptu
Investments in a silver mine, now failing;
But rather than at Fate bewailing,
We look to you, our eldest daughter,
To save us from financial slaughter.

So marry well, think of your sisters
Pursue the titled Cabinet Ministers
Especially those yet in poor health:
Choose not love but conspicuous wealth."

Comments

[ex_peasant441]

I can't possibly say this is on a par with the finished version, but it is interesting to see. And one thing I do like is the metre, which is reminiscent of G&S, and feels very suitable.

And of course I had to go and re-read the finished thing and sigh again at how much you can fit into 200 words.