From The Wit and Humor of America, edited by Marshall P. Wilder, Volume III, New York and London: Funk and Wagnalls and Company, 1911; p. 584.
THE RETORT
BY GEORGE P. MORRIS
Old Nick, who taught the village school,
Wedded a maid of homespun habit;
He was stubborn as a mule,
She was playful as a rabbit.
Poor Jane has scarce become a wife,
Before her husband sought to make her
The pink of country polished life,
And prim and formal as a Quaker.
One day the tutor went abroad,
And simple Jenny sadly missed him;
When he returned, behind her lord
She slyly stole, and fondly kissed him.
The husband’s anger arose — and red
And white his face alternate grew.
“Less freedom, ma’am!” — Jane sighed and said,
“Oh dear! I didn’t know ’twas you!”
The End of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III.