Royal Academy

The Dudley Gallery – Exhibition of Water-Colour Drawings

Son. O lady, lay your costly robes aside,
No longer may you glory in your pride.

Mother. Wherefore to-day art singing in mine ear
Sad songs, were made so long ago, my dear?
This day I am to be a bride, you know,-
Why sing sad songs, were made so long ago?

* * *

Play with the bridesmaids; and be glad, my boy, For thou shalt be a second father’s joy!

Son. One father fondled me upon his knee. One father is enough, alone, for me. ——Mary Lamb’s Poems