Pictures in Rhyme/At Malvern Wells
AT MALVERN WELLS
At Malvern Wells I ventured out:
The wind was east, but veered about
To Nor'-nor'-east. I felt it chilly;
My doctor called me—more than silly,
And said I well deserved the gout.
His sage advice I deigned to flout;
This was the reason why, no doubt,
I found the roads so very hilly
At Malvern Wells.
Dull aches, rheumatic demons stout,
I strove in vain to put to rout:
The east wind whistled very shrilly,
Till suddenly I came on Lily
At Malvern Wells.
I came on Lily, clad in fur;
She brought a genial warmth with her,
Diffused a glow through all my frame.
Avaunt, ye fiends! at Lilian's name,
Of health a very harbinger.
My doctor says I would aver
That she was Mercy's minister.
He says 'The Wells,' but I exclaim,
’I came on Lily.'
Despite M.D.'s, I do not err,
Love is a potent sorcerer.
My fiends all shrank, aghast and tame,
As, no more crippled, halt, or maim,
I came on Lily.