The Poetry Corner

Unsatisfied

By 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!