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Miss Emma Woodhouse, it was said, was handsome, clever, rich, well bred,
The shining star (with her papa) of Highbury society.
Her sister and her governess had both left home to wed, no less:
A happy state, though Emma’s pater viewed it with anxiety.
Her governess and friend for life was now dear Mr Weston’s wife.
Frank was his son, an absent one - the mystery was exquisite!
Miss Bates’s niece had met the man in Weymouth, so the rumour ran;
The rest just waited for the date he’d deign to come and visit.
Now Emma had a certain skill: it gave her just the greatest thrill
To find a 'catch', the perfect match for some unwitting local.
The Reverend Elton had no mate - he seemed the ideal candidate.
Her neighbour, Mr Knightley, though, was rightly very vocal:
Her meddling was not the way! But Emma had a protégée,
A pretty lass who had no class and could have been much brighter.
A worthy farmer was her beau - not Emma's choice: he had to go!
To marry little Harriet to Elton would delight her.
....Plus a further 14 stanzas.....Plus the other 5 novels in similar verse form!
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