Poetry · Chapter
The Viduate Dame explained
A humorous ballad describes the widow of Thomas Blythe going on a spree, dancing the can-can in a scanty costume on a window ledge, and causing chaos as ten constables fail to subdue her, leading to calls for the National Guard.
What happens
A humorous ballad describes the widow of Thomas Blythe going on a spree, dancing the can-can in a scanty costume on a window ledge, and causing chaos as ten constables fail to subdue her, leading to calls for the National Guard.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator recounts the ballad of the widow of Thomas Blythe.
Key passages
“'Tis the widow of Thomas Blythe, And she goeth upon the spree, And red are cheeks of the bystanders For her acts are light and free.”
The widow of Thomas Blythe is on a reckless spree, shocking onlookers with her uninhibited behavior.
Introduces the central figure and her scandalous actions.
“Ten constables they essay To bate the dame’s halloing. With the widow of Thomas Blythe Their hands are overflowing.”
Ten police officers try to stop the widow's loud revelry, but they are overwhelmed by her.
Highlights the futility of law enforcement in controlling the situation.
“And they cry: “Call the National Guard To quell this parlous muss— For all of the widows of Thomas Blythe Are upon the spree and us!””
The constables shout for the National Guard to handle the dangerous disturbance, as all the widows of Thomas Blythe are causing chaos.
Exaggerates the scale of the disturbance with a call for military intervention.