Lines Addressed to an Old Bachelor
The poem addresses an old bachelor, questioning his choice to remain single despite the joys of love and family life. It contrasts the warmth and companionship of marriage with the loneliness of bachelorhood. The speaker highlights the pleasures of romantic relationships, suggesting that love can bring happiness and fulfillment. The imagery of summer and winter symbolizes the different phases of life, with summer representing youthful freedom and winter evoking the comfort of home and family. The speaker urges the bachelor to consider the benefits of companionship, such as the joy of raising children and the happiness they bring. The poem emphasizes that while wealth may provide material comfort, it cannot replace the emotional richness of love and family. The speaker paints a picture of a fulfilling domestic life, filled with the laughter and joy of children, contrasting it with the solitary existence of the bachelor. Ultimately, the work serves as a persuasive appeal for the bachelor to embrace love and the responsibilities of family life, suggesting that true happiness lies in connection with others rather than in solitary wealth.
By James McIntyre · First published 1835 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Romantic Literature · 170 words
First lines
Addressed to Jonathan Wingle, Esq.
In summer time we roam o'er dingle, But winter draws us round the ingle, Why do you remain thus single, When love would make two hearts tingle, Pray, tell me why my dearest wingle, With the fair you do not mingle, Better with love 'neath cot of shingle, Than all your yellow gold to jingle.
For married life you would enjoy, And soon a little girl and boy, They would your leisure hours employ, At Christmas you could buy each toy, And fill their little hearts with joy, For their amusements never cloy, Business cares do men annoy, Child's happiness knows no alloy.
What this Textopian page supports
Lines Addressed to an Old Bachelor is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 1835 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1835 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Romantic Literature, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lines Addressed to an Old Bachelor by James McIntyre
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Lines Addressed to an Old Bachelor?
- How does this poem by James McIntyre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Let School Masters Puzzle Their Brain by Oliver Goldsmith
- To Stern Critics by Oliver Herford
- Letter In Prose And Verse To Mrs Bunbury by Oliver Goldsmith
- To A Critic by Madison Cawein
- The Choice Rhymes For The Times by Harry Graham
- It Is The Fashion Now by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Satire — The poem humorously critiques the bachelor lifestyle and promotes marriage.
- Romantic Literature — Themes of love and companionship are central to the poem's message.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on societal expectations regarding marriage and family.
Tags
Poem · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love · Age · Youth · Experience · Wisdom · Criticism · Humor · Irony