Page 26 - Poetry-Family

The Head of the House

“I’m head of the house,” said he,
With a feeling of manly pride;
For the wants of my family,
Their every-day needs I provide;
And my order must be obeyed
As if ‘twere the king’s decree,
By mistress as well as maid;
For “I’m head of the house,” said he.

“I call the cook to account
If she’s given to wasteful ways;
And know the exact amount
My wife for each item pays;
I settle the bills, and so
The grocers and butchers, you see,
And merchants and milliners know
I am head of the house,” said he.

“My domestic affairs all move
Like clock-work, from morn till night,
And that is enough to prove
That my way of doing is right;
My subjects obey my laws,
And with my requests agree,
And order prevails because
I am head of the house,” said he.

The wife, though she did not boast
Of any superior skill,
Or claim that she ruled the roost,
Or followed her own sweet will,
Was ready to note and quell
Marauding of maid or mouse,
That everything there might tell
That she was the heart of the house.

The comfort of those around
Was always her daily care;
However narrow the bound

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