The Belle's Soliloquy

Heigh Ho! Well, the season’s over!
 Once again we’ve come to Lent!
Programme’s changes from balls and parties –
 Now we’re ordered to repent.
Forty days of self-denial!
 Tell you what, I think it pays –
Know’t’l freshen my complexion
 Going slow for forty days.

No more savoury French suppers –
 Such as Madame R- can give.
Well, I need a little thinning –
 Just a trifle – sure’s you live!
Sometimes been afraid my plumpness
 Might grow into downright fat.
Rector urges need of fasting –
 Think there’s lot of truth in that.

We must meditate, he tells us,
 On our several acts of sin,
And repent them.  Let me see now –
 Whereabouts shall I begin!
Flirting – yes, they say ‘tis wicked;
 Well, I’m awful penitent.
(Wonder if my handsome major
 Goes to early Mass though Lent?)

Love of dress! I’m guilty there too –
 Guess it’s my besetting sin.
Still I’m somewhat like the lillies,
 For I neither toil or spin.
Forty days I’ll wear my plainest –
 Could repentance be more true?
What a saving on my dresses!
 They’ll make over just like new.

Pride, and worldliness and all that,
 Rector bade us pray about
Every day through Lenten season,
 And I mean to be devout!
Papa always talks entrenchment –
 Lent is just the very thing.
Hope he’ll get enough in pocket
 So we’ll move up town next spring.