The Curate’s Kindness

I

I thought they'd be strangers aroun' me,
&nbsp But she's to be there!
Let me jump out o' waggon and go back and drown me
At Pummery or Ten-Hatches Weir.

II

I thought: "Well, I've come to the Union -
&nbsp The workhouse at last -
After honest hard work all the week, and Communion
O' Zundays, these fifty years past.

III

"'Tis hard; but," I thought, "never mind it:
&nbsp There's gain in the end:
And when I get used to the place I shall find it
&nbsp A home, and may find there a friend.

IV

"Life there will be better than t'other.
&nbsp For peace is assured.
THE MEN IN ONE WING AND THEIR WIVES IN ANOTHER
&nbsp Is strictly the rule of the Board."

V

Just then one young Pa'son arriving
&nbsp Steps up out of breath
To the side o' the waggon wherein we were driving
&nbspTo Union; and calls out and saith:

VI

"Old folks, that harsh order is altered,
&nbsp Be not sick of heart!
The Guardians they poohed and they pished and they paltered
&nbsp When urged not to keep you apart.

VII

"'It is wrong,' I maintained, 'to divide them,
&nbsp Near forty years wed.'
'Very well, sir. We promise, then, they shall abide them
&nbsp In one wing together,' they said."

VIII

Then I sank—knew 'twas quite a foredone thing
&nbsp That misery should be
To the end! . . . To get freed of her there was the one thing
&nbsp Had made the change welcome to me.

IX

To go there was ending but badly;
&nbsp 'Twas shame and 'twas pain;
"But anyhow," thought I, "thereby I shall gladly
&nbsp Get free of this forty years' chain."

X

I thought they'd be strangers aroun' me,
&nbsp But she's to be there!
Let me jump out o' waggon and go back and drown me
&nbsp At Pummery or Ten-Hatches Weir.