On an UNSOCIABLE FAMILY.
18th Century Elizabeth Hands EnglishOn an UNSOCIABLE FAMILY.
O What a strange parcel of creatures are we, Scarce ever to quarrel, or ever agree; We all are alone, though at home altogether, Except to the fire constrain'd by the weather; Then one says, 'tis cold, which we all of us know, And with unanimity answer, 'tis so: With shrugs and with shivers all look at the fire, And shuffle ourselves and our chairs a bit nigher; Then quickly, preceded by silence profound, A yawn epidemical catches around: Like social companions we never fall out, Nor ever care what one another's about; To comfort each other is never our plan, For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can.