The Husband’s Complaint

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Heather

I’m not sure how it is in your home, but around here my needlework is accepted fairly well. I think the only issue my husband really has is that I continue to buy more stash when I already have a lifetime’s worth. And also that I still haven’t stitched a Chinese-style dragon for him, like I promised over 15 years ago…

Anyway, I came across this great poem today and thought that all of you would enjoy it.

The Husband’s Complaint

I’ve heard of wives too musical–too talkative–too quiet
Of scolding and of gaming wives and those too fond of riot;
But yet of all the errors I know, which to the women fall;
For ever doing fancy work, I think exceeds them all.

The other day when I went home no dinner was for me,
I asked my wife the reason; she answered, “One, two, three.”
I told her I was hungry and stamped upon the floor.
She never even looked at me, but murmured “One green more.”

If any lady comes to tea, her bag is first surveyed,
And if the pattern pleases her, a copy there is made.
She stares too at the gentleman, and when I ask her why,
Tis, “Oh my love, the pattern of his waistcoat struck my eye.”

Ah? The misery of a working wife, with fancy work run wild;
And hands that never do aught else for husband or for child;
Our clothes are rent, our bills unpaid; my house is in disorder;
And all because my lady wife has taken to embroider.

~ M. T. Morrall, A History of Needlemaking, 1852

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9 Responses to The Husband’s Complaint

  1. Michele Stravato says:
    June 3, 2015 at 10:32 am

    How funny and very, very true!

  2. Shannon Meyer says:
    June 3, 2015 at 11:46 am

    That is great~ and maybe just a bit too true!! :0)

  3. Joanne P says:
    June 3, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    This is wonderful, it’s nice to know that the Victorians were as bad as us!

  4. Heather says:
    June 3, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    Lol I like that poem. My hubby doesn’t say much about my cross stitching. But I know sometimes it drives him nuts.

  5. Kate says:
    June 3, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    Oh, too funny!! Sounds like my house! Thanks for sharing, Heather 🙂

  6. Pamela says:
    June 4, 2015 at 3:05 am

    This is great! Thanks for sharing.

  7. Pen2Needle says:
    June 4, 2015 at 5:20 am

    Lol… I can just imagine my DH woefully reciting this at every opportunity. MUST make sure he never sees this! 😀

  8. Anna says:
    June 4, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Love that last paragraph! Reminds me of all the people who’ve seen me embroider and asked me to sew something for them. 🙂