We shun it ere it comes, 1
Afraid of Joy,
Then sue it to delay
And lest it fly,
Beguile it more and more－5
May not this be
Old Suitor Heaven,
Like our dismay at thee?
Afraid of Joy,
Then sue it to delay
And lest it fly,
Beguile it more and more－5
May not this be
Old Suitor Heaven,
Like our dismay at thee?
(F.1595/J.1580)
[1] it:: a baby. shun it:: to avoid pregnancy.
[2] Afraid of Joy:: pregnancy is both joy and fear for the unwed mothers.
[3] Then, delay:: then mothers failed to shun it, but hoped to delay it.
[4] fly:: to lose the child.
[5] Beguile it:: to cover the belly; the key in solving this riddle.
[7] Old:: a) old-fashioned; b) skilled, experienced. Suitor:: a) one who pursues holiness; b) the woman's suitor, the baby's father. Heaven:: a) holiness (chastity); b) great happiness (having sex).
[8] dismay at thee:: a disheartening feeling about men.