Poetry · Chapter
Impromptu explained
A brief poem in which the speaker comments on a young girl's scar from being struck by a stick of wood, praising the value of wood while condemning the rudeness of the accident that angered him.
What happens
A brief poem in which the speaker comments on a young girl's scar from being struck by a stick of wood, praising the value of wood while condemning the rudeness of the accident that angered him.
Themes in this chapter
Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue
The poem conveys a moral lesson about the rudeness of striking a fair maid, emphasizing domestic virtue and proper conduct.
Key passages
“In its own place ’tis very good Always to have plenty of wood; But, striking fair maid, that is rude, And puts me in an angry mood.”
Having a good supply of wood is fine in its proper context, but when it strikes a young woman, that is impolite and makes me angry.
The speaker contrasts the usefulness of wood with the harm it caused, expressing indignation at the accident.