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1809–1894

UNSATISFIED

Oliver Wendell Holmes

“ONLY a housemaid!” She looked from the kitchen,— Neat was the kitchen and tidy was she; There at her window a sempstress sat stitching; “Were I a sempstress, how happy I'd be!”

“Only a Queen!” She looked over the waters,— Fair was her kingdom and mighty was she; There sat an Empress, with Queens for her daughters; “Were I an Empress, how happy I'd be!”

Still the old frailty they all of them trip in! Eve in her daughters is ever the same; Give her all Eden, she sighs for a pippin; Give her an Empire, she pines for a name!

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UNSATISFIED · Oliver Wendell Holmes · Poetry Cove