Mi Old Umberel

What matters if some fowk deride,

An point wi' a finger o' scorn?

Th' time wor tha wor lukt on wi' pride,

Befooar mooast o'th' scoffers wor born.

But aw'll ne'er turn mi back on a friend,

Tho' old-fashioned an grey like thisen;

But aw'll try to cling to thi to th' end,

Tho' thart nobbut an old umberel.

Whear wod th' young ens 'at laff be to-day,

But for th' old ens they turn into fun?

Who wor wearm thersen bent an grey,

When their days had hardly begun.

Ther own youth will quickly glide past;

If they live they'll ail grow old thersel;

An they'll long for a true friend at last,

Tho' its nobbut an old umberel.

Tha's grown budgey, an faded, an worn,

Yet thi inside is honest an strong;

But thi coverin's tattered an torn,

An awm feeard 'at tha cannot last long.

But when th' few years 'at's left us have run,

An to th' world we have whispered farewells;

May they say at my duty wor done,

As weel as mi old umberel's

What it Comes to.

Young Alick gate wed, as all gradely chaps do,

An tuk Sally for better or war;

A daycenter felly ne'er foller'd a ploo,--

Th' best lad ov his mother's bi far.

An shoo wor as nice a young lass as yo'll see

In a day's march, aw'll wager mi hat;

But yo know unless fowk's dispositions agree,

Tho' they're bonny,--noa matter for that.

They'd better bi hawf have a hump o' ther rig,

Or be favvor'd as ill as old Flew;

If ther temper is sweet, chaps 'll net care a fig,

Tho' his wife may have one ee or two.

Young Sally had nivver been used to a farm,

An shoo seem'd to know nowt abaat wark;

Shoo set wi' her tooas up o'th' fender to warm,

Readin novels throo mornin to dark.

Alick saw 'at sich like gooins on wod'nt do,

Soa one neet when they'd getten to bed,

He tell'd her he thowt shoo'd best buckle too,

Or else we'st be ruined, he sed.

Says Sally, "its cappin to hear thi awm sewer,

For tha tell'd me befooar we wor wed,

Tha'd be happy wi me, an tha wanted nowt mooar

If aw nivver stirred aght o' mi bed."

"Tha sed aw wor bonny, an th' leets o' mi een

Wor enuff for thi sunshine throo life;

An tha tell'd me tha wanted to mak me a queen,--

But it seems 'at tha wanted a wife."

"Aw'm willin to own love's all reight in its way,

An aw'm glad aw've discovered soa sooin

'At love withaat labor sooin dwindles away,--

For fowk can't live o' billin an cooin."

"That's my nooation too,--but aw thowt tha should try,

What a wife as a laikon could be;

Noa daat tha's fan livin o' love rayther dry,

For aw'll own aw'd grown sickened o' thee."

Hold up yer Heeads.

Hold up yer heeads, tho' at poor workin men

Simple rich ens may laff an may scorn;

Maybe they ne'er haddled ther riches thersen,

Somdy else lived befooar they wor born.

As noble a heart may be fun in a man,

Who's a poor ragged suit for his best,

(An who knows he mun work or else he mun clam,)

As yo'll find i' one mich better drest.

Soa here's to all th' workers whearivver they be,

I'th' land or i'th' loom or i'th' saddle;

An the dule tak all them who wod mak us less free,

Or rob us o'th' wages we haddle!

A Quiet Day.

A'a! its grand to have th' place to yorsen!

To get th' wimmen fowk all aght o'th' way!

Mine's all off for a trip up to th' Glen,

An aw've th' haase to misen for a day.

If aw'd mi life to spend ovver ageean,

Aw'd be bothered wi' nooan o' that mak;

What they're gooid for aw nivver could leearn,

Except to spooart clooas o' ther back.

Nah, aw'll have a quiet pipe, just for once,

Aw'm soa thankful to think 'at they're shut;

An its seldom a chap has a chonce;--

Whear the dickens has th' matches been put?

Well, nah then, aw've th' foir to leet,--

It will'nt tak long will'nt that,

An as sooin as its gotten burned breet,

Aw'il fry some puttates up i' fat.

Aw know aw'm a stunner to cook,--

Guys-hang-it! this kinlin's damp!

It does nowt but splutter an smook,

An this Hue's ov a varry poor stamp.

It's lukkin confaandedly black,--

Its as dismal an dull as mi hat;

Nah, Sal leets a foir in a crack,--

Aw will give her credit for that.

Ther's nowt nicer nor taties when fried,--

Aw could ait em to ivvery meal;

Aw can't get 'em, altho' aw've oft tried,--

Its some trouble aw know varry weel.

Th' foirs aght! an it stops aght for me!

Aw'il bother noa mooar wi' th' old freet!

Next time they set off for a spree,

They'st net leeav me th' foir to leet.

Aw dooant care mich for coffee an teah,

Aw can do wi' some milk an a cake;

An fried taties they ne'er seem to me,

Worth th' bother an stink 'at they make.

Whear's th' milk? Oh, its thear, an aw'm blest,

That cat has its heead reight i'th' pot;

S'cat! witta! A'a, hang it aw've missed!

If aw hav'nt aw owt to be shot!

An th' pooaker's flown cleean throo a pane;

It wor fooilish to throw it, that's true;

Them 'at keep sich like cats are insane,

For aw ne'er see noa gooid 'at they do.

Aw think aw'il walk aght for a while,

But, bless us! mi shooin isn't blackt!

Aw'm net used to be sarved i' this style,

An aw think at ther's somdy gooan crackt.

It doesn't show varry mich thowt,

When aw'm left wi' all th' haasewark to do,

For fowk to set off an do nowt,

Net soa mich as to blacken a shoe.

It'll be dinner time nah varry sooin,--

An ther's beefsteaks i'th' cubbord aw know;

But aw can't leet that foir bi nooin,

An aw can't ait beefsteak when its raw.

Aw tell'd Sal this morn 'at shoo'd find,

A rare appetite up i' that Glen;

An aw think if aw dooant change mi mind,

Aw shall manage to find one misen.

Aw wor fooilish to send 'em away,

But they'll ha to do th' best at they can;

But aw'st feel reight uneasy all th' day,--

Wimmen's net fit to goa baght a man.

They've noa nooation what prices to pay,

An they dooant know th' best places to call;

Aw'il be bun it'll cost 'em to-day,

What wod pay my expences an all.

It luks better, aw fancy, beside,

When a chap taks his family raand;

Nah, suppooas they should goa for a ride,

An be pitched ovver th' brig an be draand.

Aw ne'er should feel happy ageean,

If owt happen'd when aw wor away;

An to leeav 'em i' danger luks meean,

Just for th' sake o' mi own quiet day.

Aw could catch th' train at leeavs abaat nooin;

E'e, gow! that'll be a gooid trick!

An aw'st get a gooid dinner for gooin,

An th' foir can goa to old Nick.

Its a pity to miss mi quiet day,

But its better to do that 'at's reight;

An it matters nowt what fowk may say,

But a chap mun ha summat to ait,

Lass o'th Haley Hill.

O winds 'at blow, an flaars 'at grow,

O sun, an stars an mooin!

Aw've loved yo long, as weel yo know,

An watched yo neet an nooin.

But nah, yor paars to charm all flee,

Altho' yor bonny still,

But th' only beauty i' mi e'e,

Is th' lass o'th Haley Hill.

Her een's my stars,--her smile's my sun,

Her cheeks are rooases bonny;

Her teeth like pearls all even run,

Her brow's as fair as onny.

Her swan-like neck,--her snowy breast,--

Her hands, soa seldom still;

Awm fain to own aw love her best,--

Sweet lass o'th' Haley Hill.

Aw axt her i' mi kindest tone,

To grant mi heart's desire;

A tear upon her eyelid shone,--

It set mi heart o' foir.

Wi' whispers low aw told mi love,

Shoo'd raised her droopin heead;

Says shoo, "Awm sooary for thi lad,

But awm already wed;

An if awr Isaac finds thee here,--

As like enuff he will,--

Tha'll wish 'at tha wor onnywhear,

Away throo th' Haley Hill.

Ditherum Dump.

Ditherum dump lived i'th' haase behund th' pump,

An he grummel'd throo mornin to neet,

On his rig he'd a varry respectable hump,

An his nooas end wor ruddy an breet.

His een wor askew an his legs knock-a-kneed,

An his clooas he could don at a jump;

An th' queerest old covey 'at ivver yo seed,

Wor mi naybor old Ditherum Dump.

Ditherum Dump he lived behund th' pump,

An he grummel'd throo mornin to neet;

An he sed fowk neglect one they owt to respect,

An blow me, if aw think 'at its reet!

Yo mun know this old Ditherum lived bi hissen,

For he nivver had met wi' a wife;

An th' lasses all sed they'd have nooan sich like men,

For he'd worrit 'em aght o' ther life.

But he grinned as he caanted his guineas o' gold,

An he called hissen "Jolly old trump!"

An he sed, "tho' awm ugly, an twazzy, an old,

Still ther's lots wod bi Mistress Dump."

Ditherum Dump,--Jolly old trump!

Tho' tha'rt net varry hansum to th' seet,

Yet ther's monny a lass wod be fain o' mi brass,

For mi guineas are bonny an breet.

Soa he gethered his gold till he grew varry old,

Wi' noa woman to sweeten his life;

Till one day a smart lass chonced his winder to pass.

An he cried, "That's the wench for my wife!"

Soa he show'd her his bags runnin ovver wi' gold,

An he axt her this question reight plump;

"Tho' awm ugly an waspish, an getten soa old,

Will ta come an be my Mistress Dump?"

"For Mistress Dump shall have gold in a lump,

If tha'll tak me for better or worse;"

Soa shoo says, "Awm yor lass, if yo'll leeav me yor brass,

An aw'll promise to mak a gooid nurse."

Soa Ditherum Dump an this young lass gate wed,

An th' naybors cried, "Shame! Fie,--for--shame!"

But shoo cared net a button for all at they sed,

For shoo fancied shoo'd played a safe game.

Then Ditherum sickened an varry sooin deed,

An he left her as rich as a Jew,

An shoo had a big tombstun put ovver his heead,

An shoo went into black for him too.

Nah, Mistress Dump, soa rooasy an plump,

In a carriage gooas ridin up th' street;

An th' lasses sin then all luk aght for old men,

An they're crazy to wed an old freet.

My Polly.

My Polly's varry bonny,

Her een are black an breet;

They shine under her raven locks,

Like stars i'th' dark o'th' neet.

Her little cheeks are like a peach,

'At th' sun has woo'd an missed;

Her lips like cherries, red an sweet,

Seem moulded to be kissed.

Her breast is like a drift o' snow,

Her little waist's soa thin,

To clasp it wi' a careless arm

Wod ommost be a sin.

Her little hands an tiny feet,

Wod mak yo think shoo'd been

Browt up wi' little fairy fowk

To be a fairy queen.

An when shoo laffs, it saands as if

A little crystal spring,

Wor bubblin up throo silver rocks,

Screened by an angel's wing.

It saands soa sweet, an yet soa low,

One feels it forms a part

Ov what yo love, an yo can hear

Its echoes in yor heart.

It isn't likely aw shall win,

An wed soa rich a prize;

But ther's noa tellin what strange things

Man may do, if he tries.

Love one Another.

Let's love one another, it's better bi far;

Mak peace wi yor Brother--it's better nor war!

Life's rooad's rough enuff,--let's mak it mooar smooth,

Let's sprinkle awr pathway wi kindness an love.

Ther's hearts at are heavy, and een at are dim,

Ther's deep cups o' sorrow at's full up to th' brim;

Ther's want an misfortun,--ther's crime an ther's sin;

Let's feight 'em wi Love,--for Love's sarten to win.

Give yor hand,--a kind hand,--to yor brother i' need,

Dooant question his conduct, or ax him his creed,--

Nor despise him becoss yo may think he's nooan reight,

For, maybe, some daat whether yo're walkin straight.

Dooant set up as judge,--it's a dangerous plan,

Luk ovver his failins,--he's nobbut a man;

Suppooas at he's one at yo'd call 'a hard case,'

What might yo ha been if yo'd been in his place?

Fowk praich abaat 'Charity,'--'pity the poor,'

But turn away th' beggar at comes to ther door;--

"Indiscriminate Charity's hurtful," they say,

"We hav'nt got riches to throw em away!"

Noa! but if that Grand Book,--th' Grandest Book ivver writ,

(An if ther's a true Book aw think at that's it,)

Says "What yo have done to th' leeast one o' theas

Yo did unto Me;"--Reckon that if yo pleeas.

Awm nooan findin fault,--yet aw cant help but see

Ha some roll i' wealth, wol ther's some, starvin, dee;

They grooan "it's a pity;--Poverty is a curse!"

But they button ther pockets, an shut up ther purse.

Ther's few fowk soa poor, but they could if they wod,

Do summat for mankind.--Do summat for God.

It wor Jesus commanded 'To love one another,'

Ther's no man soa lost but can claim thee as Brother.

Then let us each one, do what little we can,

To help on to comfort a less lucky man;

Remember, some day it may fall to thy lot

To feel poverty's grip, spite o' all at tha's got.

But dooant help another i' hooaps at some day.

Tha'll get it all back.--Nay, a thaasand times Nay!

Be generous an just and wi th' futer ne'er bother;--

Tha'll nivver regret bein a friend to thi Brother.

Dick an Me.

Two old fogies,--Dick an me,--

Old, an grey as grey can be.

A'a,-but monny a jolly spree

We have had;--

An tha ne'er went back o' me;--

Bonny lad!

All thi life, sin puppy days

We've been chums:--tha knows mi ways;--

An noa matter what fowk says,

On we jog.

'Spite what tricks dame Fortun plays,--

Tha'rt my dog.

Th' world wod seem a dreary spot,--

All mi joys wod goa to pot;--

Looansum be mi little cot,

Withaat thee;

A'a, tha knows awst freeat a lot

If tha'd to dee.

Once on a time we rammeld far

O'er hills an dales, an rugged scar;

Whear fowk, less ventersum, ne'er dar

To set ther feet;

An nowt wor thear awr peace to mar;--

Oh, it wor sweet!

But nah, old chap, thi limbs are stiff;--

Tha connot run an climb--but if

Tha wags thi tail,--why, that's eniff

To cheer me yet;

An th' fun we've had o'er plain an cliff,

Awst ne'er forget.

If aw, like Burns, could sing thi praise;

Could touch the strings to tune sich lays--

Tha'd be enshrined for endless days

I' deathless song;

But Fate has will'd it otherways.

Yet, love is strong.

Blest be that heart 'at finds i' me

What nubdy else could ivver see;--

Summat to love.--Aye! even thee,

Tha knows its true;

We've shared booath wealth an poverty,

An meean to do.

When fowk wi kindly hearts aglow,

Say, "Poor old fogies," they dooant know

'At all they own is far below

Thy worth to me;

An all the wealth at they could show

Wod ne'er tempt thee,

Time's creepin on,--we wait a chonce,

When we shall quit life's mazy donee;

But, please God! Tak us booath at once,

Old Dick an me;

When's time to quit,--why--that announce

When best suits Thee.

Briggate at Setterdy Neet.

Sin Leeds wor a city it puts on grand airs,

An aw've noa wish to bother wi' others' affairs;

'At they've mich to be praad on aw freely admit,

But aw think thier's some things they mud alter a bit.

They've raised some fine buildings 'at's worth lookin at,--

They're a credit to th' city, thers noa daat o' that;

But ther's nowt strikes a stranger soa mich as a seet

O'th' craad 'at's i' Briggate at Setterdy neet.

Aw've travelled a bit i' booath cities an taans,

An aw've oft seen big craads when they've stept aght o' baands;--

Well,--excitement sometimes will lead fowk astray,

When they dooant meean owt wrang, but just rollikin play,

But Leeds is a licker,--for tumult an din,--

For bullies an rowdies an brazzen-faced sin.

Aw defy yo to find me another sich street,--

As disgraceful, as Briggate at Setterdy neet.

Poleecemen are standin i' twos an i' threes,

But they must be stooan blinnd to what other fowk sees;

It must be for ornaments they've been put thear,--

It cant be nowt else, for they dooant interfere.

Young lads who imagine it maks 'em seem men

If they hustle an shaat and mak fooils o' thersen.

Daycent fowk mun leeav th' cawsey for th' middle o'th' street

For its th' roughs at own Briggate at Setterdy neet.

An if yo've a heart 'at can feel, it must ache

When yo hear ther faal oaths an what coorse jests they make;

Yet once they wor daycent an wod be soa still,

But they've takken th' wrang turnin,--they're gooin daan hill.

Them lasses, soa bonny, just aght o' ther teens,

Wi' faces an figures 'at's fit for a queen's.

What is it they're dooin? Just watch an yo'll see 't,

What they're hawkin i' Briggate at Setterdy neet.

They keep sendin praichers to th' heathen an sich,

But we've heathen at hooam at require 'em as mich:

Just luk at that craad at comes troopin along,

Some yellin aght th' chorus o'th' new comic song;

Old an young,--men an wimmen,--some bummers, some swells,

Turned aght o' some dnnkin an singin room hells;--

They seek noa dark corners, they glory i'th' leet,

This is Briggate,--their Briggate, at Setterdy neet.

Is it axin too mich ov "the powers that be,"

For a city's main street from sich curse to be free?

Shall Morality's claims be set all o' one side,

Sich a market for lewdness an vice to provide?

Will that day ivver come when a virtuous lass,

Alone, withaat insult, in safety may pass?

Its time for a change, an awm langin to see 't,--

A respectable Briggate at Setterdy neet.

Them well-meeanin parents, at hooam at ther ease,

Are oft wilfully blind to sich dangers as theas;

Their sons an their dowters are honest an pure,--

That may be,--an pray God it may ivver endure.

But ther's noa poor lost craytur, but once on a time,

Wor as pure as ther own an wod shudder at crime.

The devil is layin his snares for ther feet,--

An they're swarmin i' Briggate at Setterdy neet.

Awr Annie.

Saw yo that lass wi' her wicked een?

That's awr Annie.

Shoo's th' pet o'th' haase, we call her 'queen,'

Shoo's th' bonniest wench wor ivver seen;

Shoo laffs an frolics all th' day throo,--

Shoo does just what shoo likes to do,--

But then shoo's loved,--an knows it too;--

That's awr Annie.

If ivver yo meet wi' a saucy maid,--

That's awr Annie.

Shoo's sharp as onny Sheffield blade,

Shoo puts all others into th' shade.

At times shoo'll sing or laff or cry,

An nivver give a reason why:

Sometimes shoo's cheeky, sometimes shy;

That's awr Annie.

Roamin throo meadows green an sweet,

That's awr Annie;

Trippin away wi' fairy feet,

Noa fairer flaar yo'll ivver meet;

Or in some trees cooil shade shoo caars

Deckin her golden curls wi' flaars;

Singin like happy burd for haars,

That's awr Annie.

Chock full o' mischief, aw'll admit,

That's awr Annie;--

But shoo'li grow steadier in a bit,

Shoo'll have mooar wisdom, an less wit.

But could aw have mi way i' this,

Aw'd keep her ivver as shoo is,--

Th' same innocent an artless miss,

That's awr Annie.

Child ov mi old age, dearest, best!

That's awr Annie;

Cloise to mi weary bosom prest,

Far mooar nor others aw feel blest;--

Jewels an gold are nowt to me,

For when shoo's sittin o' mi knee,

Ther's nubdy hawf as rich as me,

Unless it's Annie.

Peter Prime's Principles.

"Sup up thi gill, owd Peter Prime,

Tha'st have a pint wi' me;

It's worth a bob at onny time

To have a chat wi' thee.

Aw like to see thi snowy hair,

An cheeks like apples ripe,--

Come squat thi daan i'th' easy cheer,

Draw up, an leet thi pipe.

Tho' eighty years have left ther trace,

Tha'rt hale an hearty yet,

An still tha wears a smilin face,

As when th' furst day we met.

Pray tell me th' saycret if tha can

What keeps thi heart soa leet,

An leeavs thi still a grand owd man,

At we're all praad to meet?"

"Why lad, my saycret's plain to see,

An th' system isn't hard;

Just live a quiet life same as me,

An tha'll win th' same reward.

Be honest i' thi dealins, lad,

That keeps a easy mind;

Shun all thi conscience says is bad,

An nivver be unkind.

If others laff becoss tha sticks

To what tha knows is reight,

Why, let 'em laff, dooant let their tricks

Prevent thee keepin straight.

If blessed wi' health, an strong to work

Dooant envy them at's rich;

If duty calls thi nivver shirk,

Tha'rt happier far nor sich.

Contentment's better wealth nor gold,

An labor sweetens life,--

Ther's nowt at maks a chap grow old,

Like idleness an strife.

Dooant tawk too mich, but what tha says

Be sewer it's allus true;

An let thi ways be honest ways,

An that'll get thi throo.

If tha's a wife, pray dooant forget

Shoo's flesh an blooid like thee;

Be kind an lovin, an aw'll bet

A helpmate true shoo'll be.

Dooant waste thi brass i' rants an sprees,

Or maybe when tha'rt old,--

Wi' body bent an tott'rin knees,

Tha'll be left aght i'th' cold.

Luk at th' breet side o' ivverything

An varry sooin tha'll see,

Whear providence has placed thi,

Is whear tha owt to be.

Dooant live as if this world wor all,

For th' time will come someday,

When that grim messenger will call,

An tha mun goa away.

Tha'll nivver need to quake or fear,

If tha carries aght this plan,

An them tha's left behind shall hear

'Thear lies an honest man.'"

Cuckoo!

Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Just a word i' thi ear,--

Aw hooap we shall net disagree;

But aw'm foorced to admit as aw watch thi each year,

At tha seems a big humbug to me.

We know at tha brings us glad tidins ov Spring,

An for that art entitled to thanks;

But tha maks a poor fist when tha offers to sing,

An tha plays some detestable pranks.

Too lazy to build a snug hooam for thisel,

Tha lives but a poor vagrant life;

An thi mate is noa better aw'm sooary to tell,

Shoo's unfit to be onny burd's wife.

Shoo drops her egg into another burd's nest,

An shirks what's her duty to do;

Noa love for her offspring e'er trubbles the breast,

Ov this selfish, hard-hearted Cuckoo.

Some other poor burd mun attend to her young,

An work hard to find 'em wi' grubs,

An all her reward, is to find befooar long

At her foster child treeats her wi' snubs.

Tha lives throo all th' sunshine, but th' furst chilly wind

'At ruffles thi feathers a bit,

Yo gather together an all i' one mind

Turn yor tails,--fly away, an forget.

Ther's some men just like yo, soa selfish an base,

They dooant care what comes or what gooas;

If they can just manage to live at ther ease,

Ait an drink, an be donn'd i' line clooas,

Cuckoo, thar't a type ov a lot at aw've met,--

Aw'm nooan sooary when th' time comes to Part;--

An i' spite ov all th' poets 'at's lauded thi, yet,

Tha'rt a humbug!--That's just what tha art.

Fowk Next Door.

Said Mistress Smith to Mistress Green,

Aw'm feeard we'st ha to flit;

Twelve year i' this same haase we've been,

An should be stoppin yet,

I'th' same old spot, we thowt to spend

If need be twelve year mooar;

But all awr comfort's at an end,

Sin th' fowk moved in next door.

Yo know aw've nivver hurt a flea,

All th' years at aw've been here;

An fowk's affairs are nowt to me,--

Aw nivver interfere.

We've had gooid naybors all this while,--

All honest fowk tho' poor;

But aw can't tolerate sich style

As they put on next door.

Aw dooant know whear they get ther brass,

It's little wark they do;--

Ther's eight young bairns, an th' owdest lass

Is gaddin raand th' day throo.

They dress as if they owned a mint,

Throo th' owdest to th' youngest brat,

Noa skimpin an noa sign o' stint,

But aw've nowt to do wi' that.

Ther's th' maister wears a silk top hat,

An sometimes smooks cigars!--

An owd clay pipe or sich as that

Is gooid enuff for awrs.

When th' mistress stirs shoo has to ride

I' cabs or else i'th' buss;

But aw mun walk or caar inside;

Ov coorse that's nowt to us.

Aw wonder if they've paid ther rent?

Awr landlord's same as theirs;

If we should chonce to owe a cent,

He'll put th' bums in he swears.

An th' butcher wodn't strap us mait,

Noa, net if we'd to pine,

Aw daat at their accaant's nooan straight,

But it's noa affair o' mine.

One can't help havin thowts yo know,

When one meets sich a case;

An nivver sin we lived i'th' row

Did such like things tak place.

Wi' business when it isn't mine,

Aw nivver try to mell,

An if they want to cut a shine

They're like to pleas thersel.

But stuck up fowk aw ne'er could bide,--

An pride will have a fall.

Aw connot match 'em, tho' aw've tried,

Aw wish aw could, that's all!

Aw dunnot envy 'em a bit,

Aw'm quite content, tho' poor,

But one on us will ha to flit,

Us or them fowk next door.

Dad's Lad.

Little patt'rin, clatt'rin feet,

Runnin raand throo morn to neet;

Banishin mi mornin's nap,--

Little bonny, noisy chap,--

But aw can't find fault yo see,--

For he's Dad's lad an he loves me.

He loves his mother withaat daat,

Tho' shoo gies him monny a claat;

An he says, "Aw'll tell mi Dad,"

Which ov coorse maks mother mad;

Then he snoozles on her knee,

For shoo loves him 'coss shoo loves me.

He's a bother aw'll admit,

But he'll alter in a bit;

An when older grown, maybe,

He'll a comfort prove to me,

An mi latter days mak glad,

For aw know he's Daddy's lad.

If he's aght o' sect a minnit,

Ther's some mischief, an he's in it,

When he's done it then he'll flee;

An for shelter comes to me.

What can aw do but shield my lad?

For he's my pet an aw'm his Dad.

After a day's hard toil an care,

Sittin in mi rockin chair;

Nowt mi wearied spirit charms,

Like him nestlin i' mi arms,

An noa music is as sweet,

As his patt'rin, clatt'rin feet.

Willie's Weddin.

A'a, Willie, lad, aw'm fain to hear

Tha's won a wife at last;

Tha'll have a happier time next year,

Nor what tha's had i'th' past.

If owt can lend this life a charm,

Or mak existence sweet,

It is a lovin woman's arm

Curled raand yor neck at neet.

An if shoo's net an angel,

Dooant grummel an find fault,

For eearth-born angels, lad, tha'll find

Are seldom worth ther salt.

They're far too apt to flee away,

To spreead ther bonny wings;

They'd nivver think o'th' weshin day

Nor th' duties wifehood brings.

A wife should be a woman,

An if tha's lucky been;

Tha'il find a honest Yorksher lass,

Is equal to a Queen.

For if her heart is true to thee,

An thine to her proves true,--

Tha's won th' best prize 'at's under th' skies,

An tha need nivver rue.

Tha'll have to bite thi lip sometimes,

When mooar inclined to sware;

But recollect, no precious things

Bring joy unmixed wi' care.

An when her snarlin turns to smiles,

An bitterness to bliss,

Tha'll yield fresh homage to her wiles,

An mak up wi' a kiss.

Tha'll happen think 'at shoo's a fooil,

An thy superior wit

Will allus win, an keepin cooil

Tha'll triumph in a bit.

Shoo's happen thinkin th' same o' thee

An holds thi in Love's tether,

Well, nivver heed,--they best agree

When two fooils mate together.

Somdy's Chonce.

What's a poor lass like me to do,

'At langs for a hooam ov her own?

Aw'm a hale an bonny wench too,

An nubdy can say aw'm heigh-flown.

Aw want nawther riches nor style,

Just a gradely plain felly will do;

But aw'm waitin a varry long while

An ov sweethearts aw've getten but two.

But th' trubble's just this,--let me tell,

What aw want an will have if aw can,

To share wedded life wi' misel,

Is a man 'at's worth callin a man.

But Harry's as stiff as a stoop,

An Jack, onny lass wod annoy,--

Harry's nobbut a soft nin-com-poop,

An Jack's just a hobble-de-hoy.

If caarin at th' hob ov a neet,

Wi' a softheeaded twaddlin fooil;

Aw should order him aght o' mi seet,

Or be cooamin his yure wi' a stooil.

His wage,--what it wor,--couldn't bring

Joy enuff to mak up for life's pains,

If aw fan misen teed to a thing,

At could work, ait an live, withaat brains.

"But ther's love," yo may say,--Hi that's it!

But aw nivver could love a machine;

An aw'll net wed a chap 'at's baat wit,

Net if he could mak me a queen.

Aw'd like one booath hansum an strong,

An honest, truehearted an kind,

But aw'm sewer aw could ne'er get along,

Wi' a felly 'at had'nt a mind.

Soa Harry will ha to be seckt,

For a nin-com-poop's nowt i' mi line;

As for Jack,--he could nivver expect

To win sich a true heart as mine.

Ther's lasses enuff to be had,

'At'll jump at sich chonces wi' joy,

They'll tak owt at's i'th' shape ov a lad,

Quite content wi' a hobble-de-hoy.

Aw dooant want to spend all mi life,

Like a saar, neglected old maid;

Aw'd rayther bi th' hawf be a wife,

Nor to blossom an wither i'th' shade.

Soa if onny young chap wants a mate,

Tho' he may net be hansum nor rich,

If he's getten some sense in his pate,

Aw'm his chonce.--An he need'nt have mich.

To a True Friend.

Here'sa song to mi brave old friend,

A friend who has allus been true;

His day's drawin near to its end,

When he'll leeav me, as all friends mun do.

His teeth have quite wasted away,

He's grown feeble an blind o' one ee,

His hair is all sprinkled wi' gray,

But he's just as mich thowt on bi me.

When takkin a stroll into th' taan,

He's potterin cloise at mi heels;

Noa matter whearivver aw'm baan,

His constancy nivver once keels.

His feyts an his frolics are o'er,

But his love nivver offers to fail;

An altho' some may fancy us poor,

They could'nt buy th' wag ov his tail.

If th' grub is sometimes rayther rough,

An if prospects for better be dark;

He nivver turns surly an gruff,

Or shows discontent in his bark.

Ther's nubdy can tice him away,--

He owns but one maister,--that's me,

He seems to know all 'at aw say,

An maks th' best ov his lot, what it be.

Aw've towt him a trick, nah an then,

Just when it has suited mi whim;

But aw'm foorced to admit to misen,

At aw've leearned far mooar lessons throo him.

He may have noa soul to be saved,

An when life ends i' this world he's done;

But aw wish aw could say aw'd behaved

Hawf as weel, when my life's journey's run.

Yo may call it a fooilish consait,--

But to me he's soa faithful an dear,

'At whativver mi futer estate,

Aw'st feel looansum if Dick isn't thear.

But if foorced to part, once for all,

An his carcase to worms aw mun give,

His mem'ry aw oft shall recall,

For he nivver can dee wol aw live.

Warmin Pan.

That old warmin pan wi' it's raand, brazzen face,

Has hung thear for monny a day;

'Twor mi Gronny's, an th' haase wodn't luk like th' same place,

If we tuk th' owd utensil away.

We ne'er use it nah,--but aw recollect th' time,

When at neet it wor filled wi' red cowks;

An ivvery bed gate weel warmed, except mine,

For they sed it wornt meant for young fowks.

When old Gronny deed, t'wornt mich shoo possest,

An mi mother coom in for all th' lot;

An shoo raised up a duzzen, misen amang th' rest,

An shoo lived wol shoo deed i'th' same cot.

Aw'm th' maister here nah, but aw see plain enuff,

Things willn't goa long on th' old plan;

Th' young ens turn up ther nooases at old-fashioned stuff,

An mak gam o' mi old warmin pan.

But aw luk at it oft as it glimmers i'th' leet,

An aw seem to live ovver once mooar;

Them days when mi futer wor all seemin breet,

An aw thowt nowt but joy wor i' stooar.

Aw'm summat like th' pan, aw've aght lasted mi day,

An aw'st sooin get mi nooatice to flit;

But aw've this consolation,--aw think aw may say,

Aw'st leeav some 'at aw've warmed up a bit.

It may be Soa.

This world's made up ov leet an shade,

But some things strange aw mark;

One class live all on th' sunny side,

Wol others dwell i'th' dark.

Wor it intended some should grooap,

Battlin with th' world o' care,

Wol others full ov joy an hooap

Have happiness to spare?

It may be soa,--aw'll net contend,

Opinions should be free;--

Aw'm nobbut spaikin as a friend,--

But it seems that way to me.

Should one class wear ther lives away,

To mak another great;

Wol all their share will hardly pay,

For grub enuff to ait?

An is it reight at some should dress

I' clooas bedeckt wi' gold,

Wol others havn't rags enuff,

To keep ther limbs throo th' cold?

It may be soa,--aw'll net contend, &c,

When gazin at th' fine palaces,

Whear live the favoured few;

Aw cant help wonderin sometimes

If th' inmates nobbut knew,

At th' buildins next to their's i' size

Are workhaases for th' poor,

An if they'd net feel some surprise

At th' misery raand ther door?

It may be soa,--aw'll net contend, &c.

Sometimes aw wonder what chaps think

When shiverin wi' th' cold,

Abaat th' brass at they've spent i' drink,

Whear th' landlords caant ther gold.

They couldn't get a shillin lent,

To buy a bit o' breead,

Whear all ther wages have been spent,--

They'd get kickt aght asteead.

It may be soa,--aw'll net contend, &c.

Aw wonder if they'll leearn some day,

At th' best friend they can find,

When th' shop's shut daan, an stopt ther pay,

Is ther own purse snugly lined?

Aw wonder, will th' time ivver come,

When th' darkest day is done,

When they can sing of Home Sweet Home.

An know they've getten one?

It may be soa, aw hooap it will,

For then we'st all be free;

When ivvery man's his own best friend,--

Gooid by to poverty.

A Safe Investment.

Yo fowk 'at's some brass to invest,

Luk sharp an mak th' best ov yor chonce!

Aw'll gie yo a tip,--one o'th' best,

Whear ther's profit an safety for once.

Yo needn't be feeard th' bank 'll brust,

Or at onny false 'Jabez' will chait,--

Depend on't its one yo can trust,

For th' balance sheet's sewer to be reight.

Yo've heeard on it oftimes befooar,--

But mooast fowk are apt to forget;--

Yet yo know if yo give to the poor,

At yo're gettin the Lord i' yor debt.

Its as plain as is th' nooas o' yor face,

An its true too,--believe it or net,--

It's a bargain God made i' this case,

An He'll nivver back aght on't,--yo bet.

All th' wealth yo may have can't prevent

Grim Deeath commin to yo some day;

An yo'll have to give up ivvery cent,

When yor time comes for gooin away.

But yo'll dee wi' a leetsomer heart,

An for what yo leeav care net a straw,

Earth's losses will cause yo noa smart,

If i' Heaven yo've summat to draw.

Its useless to pray an to praich,--

Yo can't fill fowk's bellies wi' wynd;

Put summat to ait i' ther raich,

An then lectur em all yo've a mind;

Ther's poor folk on ivvery hand,

Yo can't shut yor ears to ther cry;--

A wail ov woe's sweepin throo th' land,

Which may turn to a rooar by-an-bye.

Yo can't expect chaps who have wives,

An childer at's clammin i'th' cold,

To be patient an quiet all ther lives,

When they see others rollin i' gold.

When th' workers are beggin for jobs,

An th' helpless are starvin to deeath,

It's just abaat time some o'th' nobs

Wor reminded they dooant own all th' eearth.

If ther duties they still will neglect,

An ther pomps an ther pleasurs pursue,

They may find when they little expect,

'At they've getten thersen in a stew.

Yo may trample a worm wol it turns,--

An ther's danger i' starvin a rat;--

A man's passion inflamed wol it burns,

Is a danger mooar fearful nor that.

But why should ther be sich distress,

When ther's plenty for all an to spare?

Sewerly them at luck's blest can't do less

Nor to help starvin fowk wi' a share.

Rich harvests yo'll win from the seed

When theas welcome words fall on yor ear,--

"What yo did to th' leeast brother i' need,

Yo did unto Me;--Come in here."

Red Stockin.

Shoo wor shoeless, an shiverin, an weet,--

Her hair flyin tangled an wild:

Shoo'd just been browt in aght o'th street,

Wi drink an mud splashes defiled.

Th' poleece sargent stood waitin to hear

What charge agean her wod be made,

He'd scant pity for them they browt thear,

To be surly wor pairt ov his trade.

"What name?" an he put it i'th' book,--

An shoo hardly seemed able to stand;

As shoo tottered, he happened to luk

saw summat claspt in her hand.

"What's that? Bring it here right away!

You can't take that into your cell;"

"It's nothing." "Is that what you say?

Let me have it and then I can tell."

"Nay, nay! yo shall nivver tak this!

It's dearer nor life is to me!

Lock me up, if aw've done owt amiss,

But aw'll stick fast to this wol aw dee!"

"No nonsense!" he sed wi a frown,

An two officers speedily came;

Shoo seem'd to have soberer grown,

But shoo fowt like a fiend, just the same.

"Is it money or poison?" he sed,--

An unfolded it quickly to see;

When sum in at fell aght,--soft an red,

An it rested across ov his knee.

'Twor a wee babby's stockin,--just one,

But his hard face grew gentle and mild,

As he sed in his kindliest tone,

"This stockin was worn by your child?"

"Yes, sir,--an its all at aw have

To remind me ov when aw wor pure,

For mi husband an child are i'th' grave;--

Yo'll net tak it throo me, aw'm sewer!"

"No, not for the world would I take

Your treasure round which love has grown;

Pray keep it for poor baby's sake;--

I once lost a child of my own."

And he folded it up wi much care

As he lukt at her agonized face;--

A face at had once been soa fair,

But nah bearin th' stamp ov disgrace.

"You seem soberer now,--do you think

You could find your way home if you tried?"

"Oh! yes, sir! God help me! It's Drink

At has browt me to this, sir," shoo cried.

"God help you! Be sure that He will;

If you seek Him, He'll come to your aid;

He is longing and waiting there still

To receive you;--none need be afraid.

The mother whose heart still retains

The love for her babe pure and bright,

May have err'd, but the hope still remains

That she yet will return. Now, Good night."

----------

With his kindly words still in her ears,

An that little red sock in her breast;

Shoo lukt up to Heaven through her tears;

An her faith, in Christ's love did the rest.

Plain Jane.

Plain Jane--plain Jane;

This wor owd Butterworth's favourite strain:

For wealth couldn't buy,

Such pleasur an joy.

As he had wi his owd plain Jane.

Ther wor women who oft,

Maybe, thinkin him soft,

Who endeavoured to 'tice him away,

But tho ther breet een,

An ther red cheeks had been

Quite enuffto lead others astray,--

All ther efforts wor lost,

For he knew to his cost,

'At th' pleasur they promised browt pain,

Soa he left em behind,

Wol he went hooam to find,

Purer pleasures i'th' arms o' plain Jane.

Plain Jane,--plain Jane,--

Owd Butterworth sed he'd noa cause to complain:

Shoo wor hearty an strong,

An could troll aght a song,

An trubbles shoo held i' disdain,

He'd not sell her squint

For all th' brass i'th' mint,

Nor pairt wi her blossomin nooas;

He's no rival to fear,

Soa he keeps i' gooid cheer,

An cares nowt ha th' world comes or it gooas.

Cats are all gray at neet,

Soa when puttin aght th' leet,

As he duckt under th' warm caanterpain,

He sed, "Beauty breeds strife

Oft between man an wife,

But it ne'er trubbles me nor awr Jane."

Plain Jane,--plain Jane,--

To cuddle and coddle him allus wor fain;

Shoo wod cook, stew or bake,

Wesh and scaar for his sake,

An could doctor his ivvery pain.

Tho his wage wor but small

Shoo ne'er grummeld at all,

An if th' butter should chonce to run short;

Her cake shoo'd ait dry,

If axt why? shoo'd reply,

Becoss aw know weel ther's nowt for't.

But th' harstun wor cleean,

Tho th' livin wor meean,

An her karacter hadn't a stain;

An owd Butterworth knows,

As his bacca he blows,

Ther's war wimmen ith' world nor owd Jane.

Cash V. Cupid.

Aw dooat on a lass wi' a bonny face,

Wi' a twinkle ov fun in her ee;--

An aw like a lass 'at's some style an grace,

An aw'm fond o' one winnin an shy.

An ther's one 'at's a lot o' curly hair,

An a temptinly dimpled chin,

An one 'at's sedate an cold tho' fair,

But shoo wod'nt be easy to win.

Ther's one 'at's a smile ivvery time we meet,

An ther's one 'at seems allus sad;

Yet ther's sum mat abaat 'em all seems sweet,--

Just a sum mat aw wish aw had.

But somha aw connot mak up mi mind,

Which one to seek for a wife;

An its wise to be careful if love is blind,

For a weddin oft lasts for a life.

Ther's one 'at has nawther beauty nor wit,--

Just a plain lukkin, sensible lass;

But shoo's one thing 'at adds to her vally a bit,--

An that is 'at shoo's plenty o' brass.

An beauty will fade an een will grow dim,

Ther's noa lovin care can help that;

An th' smartest young woman, tho' stylish an slim,

May i' time grow booath clumsy an fat.

Soa aw think aw shall let thowts o' beauty slide by,

For a workin chap must be a crank,

'At sees mooar in a dimple or twinklin eye,

Nor in a snug sum in a bank.

Some may say ther's noa love in a weddin like this,

An its nowt but her brass 'at aw want,

Well, maybe they can live on a smile or a kiss,

If they can,--why, they may,--but aw cant.

Mary's Bonnet.

Have yo seen awr Mary's bonnet?

It's a stunner,--noa mistak!

Ther's a bunch o' rooasies on it,

An a feather daan her back.

Yollo ribbons an fine laces,

An a cock-a-doodle-doo,

An raand her bonny face is

A string o' pooasies blue.

When shoo went to church last Sundy,

Th' parson could'nt find his text;

An fat old Mistress Grundy

Sed, "A'a, Mary! pray what next!"

Th' lads wink'd at one another,--

Th' lasses snikered i' ther glee,

An th' whooal o'th' congregation

Had her bonnet i' ther ee.

Sooin th' singers started singin,

But they braik daan one bi one,

For th' hymn wor on "The flowers

Of fifty summers gone."

But when they saw awr Mary,

They made a mullock on it,

For they thowt 'at all them flaars

Had been put on Mary's bonnet.

Then th' parson sed mooast kindly,

"Ther wor noa offence intended;

But flaar shows wor aght o' place,

I'th' church whear saints attended.

An if his errin sister wished

To find her way to glory;

Shoo should'nt carry on her heead,

A whooal consarvatory."

Nah, Mary is'nt short o' pluck,--

Shoo jumpt up in a minnit,

Shoo lukt as if shoo'd swollo th' church,

An ivverybody in it.

"Parson," shoo sed, "yor heead is bare,--

Nowt in it an nowt on it;

Suppooas yo put some flaars thear,

Like theas 'at's in my bonnet."

Prime October.

Ther's some fowk like watter,

An others like beer;

It doesn't mich matter,

If ther heead is kept clear.

But to guzzle an swill,

As if aitin an drinkin

Wor all a chap lives for,

Is wrang to my thinkin.

Ivvery gooid thing i' life

Should be takken i' reason;

Even takkin a wife

Should be done i'th' reight season.

Tho' i' that case to give

Advice is noa use,

Aw should ne'er win fowk's thanks

But might get some abuse.

But if ther's a fault

'At we owt to luk ovver,

It's when a chap's tempted

Wi' "prime old October."

An to cheer up his spirits

As nowt else on earth could,

He keeps testin its merits,

An gets mooar nor he should.

Ov coorse he'll be blamed

If he gets ovver th' mark;

An noa daat he'll feel shamed

When he's throo wi' his lark.

An he'll promise "it nivver

Shall happen agean,"

Tho' he's feelin all th' time

Just as dry as a bean.

But who can resist,

When it sparkles an shines;

An his nooas gets a whif

At's mooar fragrant nor wines?

Aw'd forgie a teetotaller

At sich times, if he fell;--

For aw know ha it is,

'Coss aw've been thear mysel.

Old Dave to th' New Parson.

"Soa, yo're th' new parson, are yo?

Well, awm fain to see yo've come;

Yo'll feel a trifle strange at furst,

But mak yorsen at hooam.

Aw hooap yo'll think nor war o' me,

If aw tell what's in mi noddle,

Remember, if we dooant agree,

It's but an old man's twaddle.

But aw might happen drop a hint,

'At may start yo to thinkin;

Awd help yo if aw saw mi way,

An do it too, like winkin.

Awm net mich up o' parsons,--

Ther's some daycent ens aw know;

They're smart enuff at praichin,

But at practice they're too slow.

For dooin gooid nooan can deny

Ther chonces are mooast ample;

If they'd give us fewer precepts,

An rayther moor example.

We need a friend to help waik sheep,

Oe'r life's rough ruts an boulders;--

Ther's a big responsibility

Rests on a parson's shoulders.

But oft ther labor's all in vain,

Noa matter ha persistent;

Becoss ther taichin an ther lives

Are hardly quite consistent.

Ther's nowt can shake ther faith in God,

When bad is growing worse;

An nowt abate ther trust, unless

It chonce to touch ther purse.

They say, "Who giveth to the poor,

Lends to the Lord," but yet,

They all seem varry anxious,

Net to get the Lord in debt.

But wi my fooilish nooations

Mayhap yo'll net agree,--

Its like enuff 'at awm mistaen,--

But it seems that way to me.

If yo hear a clivver sarmon,

Yor attention it command's,

If yo know at th' praicher's heart's as white

As what he keeps his hands.

Ther's too mich love ov worldly ways,

An too mich affectation;

They work i'th' vinyard a few days,

Then hint abaat vacation.

He has to have a holiday

Because he's worked soa hard;--

Well, aw allus think 'at labor

Is desarvin ov reward.

What matters, tho' his little flock

A shepherd's care is wantin:

Old Nick may have his run o'th' fold

Wol he's off galavantin.

Aw dooant say 'at yo're sich a one,

Yo seem a gradely sooart;

But if yo' th' Gospel armour don,

Yo'll find it isn't spooart.

Dooant sell yor heavenly birthright,

For a mess ov worldly pottage:

But spend less time i'th' squire's hall

An moor i'th' poor man's cottage.

Point aght the way an walk in it,

They'll follow, one bi one,

An when yo've gained yor journey's end,

Yo'll hear them words, "Well done."

A Christian soldier has to be,

Endurin, bold an brave;

Strong in his faith he'll sewerly win,

As sewer as my name's Dave."

Tom Grit.

He'd a breet ruddy face an a laffin e'e,

An his shoolders wer brooad as brooad need be;

For each one he met he'd a sally o' wit,

For a jovjal soul wor this same Tom Grit.

He climb'd up to his waggon's heigh seeat wi' pride,

For he'd bowt a new horse 'at he'd nivver tried;

But he had noa fear, for he knew he could drive

As weel, if net better, nor th' best man alive.

Soa he sed, as he gethered his reins in his hand,

An prepared to start off on a journey he'd planned;

But some 'at stood by shook ther heeads an lukt grave,

For they'd daats ha that mettlesum horse might behave.

It set off wi' a jerk when Tom touched it wi' th' whip,

But his arms they wor strong, an like iron his grip,

An he sooin browt it daan to a nice steady gait,

But it tax'd all his skill to mak it run straight.

Two miles o' gooid rooad to the next taan led on,

An ov things like to scare it he knew ther wor none;

Soa he slackened his reins just to give it a spin,--

Then he faand 'at he couldn't for th' world hold it in.

It had th' bit in its teeth an its een fairly blazed,

An it plunged an reared madly,--an then as if crazed

It dashed along th' rooad like a fury let lawse,

Woll Tom tried his utmost to steady his course.

Wi' the reins raand his hands, an feet planted tight

He strained ivvery muscle,--but saw wi' affright

'At the street o' the taan 'at he'd entered wor fill'd,

Wi' fowk fleein wildly for fear they'd be kill'd,

"Let it goa! Let it goa!" they cried aght as it pass'd,

An Tom felt his strength givin way varry fast;

His hands wor nah helpless its mad rush to check,

But he duckt daan his heead an lapt th' reins raand his neck.

That jerk caused the horse to loise hold o' the bit,

An new hooap an new strength seem'd to come to Tom Grit,

An tho' blooid throo his ears an his nooas 'gan to spurt,

Th' horse wor browt to a stand, an ther'd nubdy been hurt.

Then chaps went to hold it, an help poor Tom daan,

For Tom's wor a favorite face i' that taan;

"Tha should ha let goa," they all sed, "an jumpt aght,

Thy life's worth a thaasand sich horses baght daat!"

But Tom wiped his face an he sed as he smiled,

"I'th' back o' that waggon yo'll find ther's a child,

An aw couldn't goa back to its mother alooan,

For he's all th' lad we have. Have yo nooan o' yer own?"

Th' Demon o' Debt.

We read ov a man once possessed ov a devil,

An pity his sorrowful case;

But at this day we fancy we're free from sich evil,

An noa mooar have that trubble to face.

But dooan't be deceived, for yo're nooan aght o' danger,

Ther's a trap for yor feet ready set,

An if to sich sorrow yo'd still be a stranger,

Be careful to keep aght o' debt.

For debt is a demon 'at nivver shows pity,

An when once yor fast in his grip,

Yo may try to luk wise or appear to be witty,

But he'll drive yo to wreck wi' his whip.

He tempts yo to start wi' a little at furst,

An then deeper an deeper yo get,

Till at last yo find aght 'at yor life is accurst,

An yo grooan under th' burden o' debt.

Then sweet sleep forsakes yo an tossin wi' care,

Yo wearily wear neet away;

An yor joys an yor hopes have all turned to despair,

An yo tremmel at th' commin o' day.

Yor een are daancast as yo walk along th' street,

An yo shun friends yo once gladly met,

The burden yo carry yo fancy they see 't;--

That soul-crushin burden o' debt.

Tak an old man's advice, if yo'd keep aght o' trubble,

An let 'pay as yo goa,' be yor plan;

Tho' yor comforts are fewer, yor joys will be double,

An yo'll hold up yor heead like a man,

Better far wear a patch on yor elbow or knee,

Till yo're able a new suit to get,

Nor be dressed like a prince, an whearivver yo be,

To be dog'd wi' that Demon o' Debt.

Th' Lad 'at Loves his Mother.

Aw like to see a lot o' lads

All frolicsome an free,

An hear ther noisy voices,

As they run an shaat wi' glee;

But if ther's onny sooart o' lad

Aw like better nor another,

'At maks mi heart mooast truly glad,

It's th' lad 'at loves his Mother.

He may be rayther dull at schooil,

Or rayther slow at play;

He may be rough an quarrelsome,--

Mischievous in his way;

He may be allus in a scrape,

An cause noa end o' bother;

But ther's summat gooid an honest

In the lad 'at loves his Mother.

He may oft do what isn't reight,

But conscience will keep prickin;

He dreeads far mooar his mother's grief,

Nor what he'd fear a lickin.

Her trubbled face,--her tearful een,

Her sighs shoo tries to smother,

Are coals ov foir on the heead

Ov th' lad 'at loves his Mother.

When years have passed, an as a man

He faces toil an care;

An whear his mother used to sit

Is but a empty chair;--

When bi his side sits her he loves,

Mooar dear nor onny other,

He still will cherish, love an bless,

The mem'ry ov his Mother.

A guardian angel throo life's rooad,

Her spirit still will be;

An in the shadow ov her wings,

He'll find security.

A better husband he will prove,

A father or a brother;

For th' lad 'at maks the noblest man,

Is th' lad 'at loves his Mother.

Matilda Jane.

Matilda Jane wor fat an fair,

An nobbut just sixteen;

Shoo'd ruddy cheeks an reddish hair,

An leet blue wor her een.

Shoo weighed abaat two hundred pund,

Or may be rayther mooar,

Shoo had to turn her sideways

When shoo went aght o'th' door.

Shoo fairly dithered as shoo walked,

Shoo wor as brooad as long;

But allus cheerful when shoo tawk'd,

An liked to sing a song;

An some o'th' songs shoo used to sing,

Aw weel remember yet;

Aw thowt it sich a funny thing,

Shoo pickt soa strange a set,

"Put me in my little bed,"

Aw knew they couldn't do;

For onny bed to put her in,

Must be big enuff for two.

"Aw wish aw wor a burd," shoo sang,

Aw nivver could tell why,--

For it wod be a waste o' wings

Becoss shoo couldn't fly.

"I'd choose to be a Daisy,"

Aw didn't wonder at,

For it must ha made her crazy

To hug that looad o' fat.

Then "Flitting like a Fairy;"--

To hear it gave me pain,

For ther wor novvt soa airy

Abaat Matilda Jane.

Last time aw heeard her singin,

Shoo sang "You'll remember me,"

An mi arm crept pairtly raand her,

As aw held her on mi knee.

Ther's noa fear aw shall forget her,

Tho' shoo's ne'er set thear agean,

But if shoo will, aw'll let her,

For aw like Matilda Jane.

Modest Jack o' Wibsey Slack.

At Wibsey Slack lived modest Jack,

No daat yo knew him weel;

His cheeks wor red, his een wor black,

His limbs wor strong as steel.

His curly hair wor black as jet,

His spirits gay an glad,

An monny a lass her heart had set

On Jack the Wibsey lad.

Sal Simmons kept a little shop,

An bacca seld, an spice,

An traitle drink, an ginger pop,

An other things as nice.

Shoo wor a widow, fat an fair,

An allus neat an trim;

An Jack seem'd fairly stuck on her;

An shoo wor sweet on him.

But other lasses thowt they had

A claim on Jack's regard;

A widow to win sich a lad,

They thowt wor very hard;

They called her a designin jade,

An one an all cried "Shame!"

But Sally kept on wi her trade,

An Jack went just the same.

One neet when commin hooam throo wark,

They stopt him on his way,

An pluckt up courage, as 't wor dark,

To say what they'd to say.

They sed they thowt a widow should

Let lasses have a share,

An net get ivvery man shoo could;

They didn't think it fair,

Jack felt his heart goa pit-a-pat,

His face wor burnin red;

His heart wor touched,--noa daat o' that,

But this wor what he sed.

"Awd like to wed yo ivvery one,

An but for th' law aw wod,

But weel yo know if th' job wor done,

They'd put me into quod."

"As aw can mak but one mi wife,--

Sal Simmons suits me weel;

For aw wor ne'er wed i' mi life,

An dooan't know ha awst feel.

But if aw wed a widow, an

Aw fail mi pairt to play;

Shoo'll varry likely understand,

An put me into th' way.

Work Lads!

Work if tha can, it's thi duty to labor;

If able, show willin,--ther's plenty to do,

Ther's battles to feight withaat musket or sabre,

But if tha'll have pluck tha'll be safe to pool throo.

Ther's noa use sittin still wishin an sighin,

An waitin for Fortun to gie yo a lift;

For ther's others i'th' struggle an time keeps on flyin,

An him who wod conquer mun show he's some shift.

Ther's nobbut one friend 'at a chap can depend on,

If he's made up his mind to succeed in the strife;

A chap's but hissen 'at he can mak a friend on,

Unless he be blest wi' a sensible wife.

But nivver let wealth, wi' its glamour an glitter,

Be th' chief end o' life or yo'll find when too lat,

'At th' fruits ov yor labor will all have turned bitter,

An th' pleasures yo hoped for are all stale an flat.

Do gooid to yorsen, win wealth, fame, or power,

But i'th' midst ov it all keep this object i' view;

'At the mooar yo possess, let yor self-love sink lower,

An pure pleasur will spring from the gooid yo can do.

Bonny Yorksher.

Bonny Yorksher! how aw love thi!

Hard an rugged tho' thi face is;

Ther's an honest air abaat thi,

Aw ne'er find i' other places.

Ther's a music i' thi lingo,

Spreeads a charm o'er hill an valley,

As a drop ov Yorksher stingo

Warms an cheers a body's bally.

Ther's noa pooasies 'at smell sweeter,

Nor thy modest moorland blossom,

Th' violet's een ne'er shone aght breeter

Nor on thy green mossy bosom.

Hillsides deckt wi' purple heather,

Guard thy dales, whear plenty dwellin

Hand i' hand wi' Peace, together

Tales ov sweet contentment tellin.

On the scroll ov fame an glory,

Names ov Yorksher heroes glisten;

History tells noa grander stooary,

An it thrills me as aw listen.

Young men blest wi' brain an muscle,

Swarm i' village, taan an city,

Nah as then prepared to tussle,

Wi' the brave, the wise, the witty.

An thy lasses,--faithful,--peerless,--

Matchless i' ther bloom an beauty,--

Modest, lovin, brave an fearless,

Praad ov Hooam an firm to Duty.

Aw've met nooan i' other places

Can a cannle hold beside 'em;

Rich i' charms an winnin graces;--

Aw should know becoss aw've tried 'em.

Balmy breezes, blow yer mildest!

Sun an shaars yer blessins shed!

Thrush an blackburd pipe yor wildest

Skylarks trill heigh ovverheead!

Robin redbreast,--little linnet,

Sing yor little songs wi' glee;

Till wi' melody each minnit,

Makin vocal bush an tree.

Wild flaars don yer breetest dresses,

Breathe sweet scents on ivvery gale;

Stately trees wave heigh yer tresses,

Flingin charms o'er hill an dale.

Dew fall gently,--an sweet Luna,

Keep thy lovin watch till morn;--

All unite to bless an prosper,

That dear spot whear aw wor born.

Sixty an Sixteen.

We're older nor we used to be,

But that's noa reason why

We owt to mope i' misery,

An whine an grooan an sigh.

We've had awr shares o' ups an daans,

I' this world's whirligig;

An for its favors or its fraans

We needn't care a fig.

Let them, at's enterin on life

Be worried wi' its cares;

We've tasted booath its joys an strife,

They're welcome nah to theirs.

To tak things easy owt to be

An old man's futer plan,

Till th' time comes when he has to dee,--

Then dee as weel's he can.

It's foolish nah to brood an freeat,

Abaat what might ha been;

At sixty we dooant see wi' th' een,

We saw wi at sixteen.

Young shoolders worn't meant to bear

Old heeads, an nivver will;

Youth had its fling when we wor thear,

An soa it will have still.

Aw wodn't live life o'er agean,

Unless 'at aw could start

Quite free throo knowledge o' this world,

Quite free in heead an heart.

That perfect trust 'at childer have,

Gives life its greatest charm;

Noa wisdom after years can give,

Will keep ther hearts as warm.

When nearin th' bottom o' life's hill,

If we, when lukkin back,

Can see some seeds ov gooid we've sown,

Are bloomin on awr track;

Wol th' evil deeds we did shall be

All trampled aght o' seet;

Awr journey's end will peaceful be,

An deeath itsen be sweet.

Then let's give thanks for mercies past,

That've kept awr hearts still green;

For thar't just as dear at sixty, lass,

As when tha wor sixteen.

Come thi Ways in.

Come thi ways in, an God bless thi, lad!

Come thi ways in, for thar't welcome, joy!

A'a! tha'rt a shockin young taistrel, lad,

But tha artn't as bad as they call thi, doy.

Tha'rt thi father upheeaped an daanthrussen, lad,

It's his mother 'at knows what a glaid wor he;--

But thi britches' knees are booath brussen, lad,

An thi jacket, its raillee a shame to see.

It's weel for thee tha's a gronny, lad,--

If it wornt for me tha'd be lost i' muck!

Tha'rt wild, but tha'rt better ner monny, lad,

An aw think 'at tha'll yet bring thi gronny gooid luck.

Nah, pool up to th' table an dry thi nooas;--

(Awd nooan leearn mi appron to onny but thee,)

Wol tha'rt fillin thi belly aw'll patch up thi clooas,

Then aw'll send thi hooam daycent an cleean tha'll see.

Nah, what are ta dooin wi' th' pussy cat, pray?

If tha'll leeav it alooan it'll mell nooan o' thee,

Put th' mustard spooin daan! Does ta hear what aw say!

Let goa that cat tail! Ha tha aggravates me!

Tha mooant dip thi finger i'th' traitle pot, doy,

(Tho' aw reckon tha follers th' example tha's set,)

Mothers, nah days, dooan't know ha to train childer, joy,

But tha'll heed what thi gronny says,--willn't ta, pet?

A'a, dear! nah tha's upset thi basin o' stew!

All ovver thisen an mi cleean scarrd flooar:--

Tha clumsy young imp; what next will ta do?

Tha'd wear aght job's patience, an twice as mich mooar!

Hold thi din! or aw'll gie thi a taste o' that strap!

Tha maks it noa better wi' yellin like that!

Come, whisht nah,--'twor nobbut a little mishap;--

Nah, whisht,--an tha'll see ha we'll leather yond cat.

Nah, dooan't touch mi thimel or needle an threead;

Sit daan like a gooid little child as tha art;

Wol aw wipe up this mess, an side th' butter an breead,

Then aw'll gie thi a penny to buy thi a tart.

For tha puts me i' mind ov a time long ago,

When thi father wor just sich a jockey as thee;

An tho' aw'm a widdy, an poor as a crow,

Ther'll be allus a bite an a sup for thee.

Tak thi booits off that fender! Tha's made it fair black;

Just see ha tha's scratched it! Aw'm sewer it's a sin!

Jump into theas clooas an fly hooam in a crack,

Or aw'll braik ivvery booan 'at tha has i' thi skin!

An stop hooam, until tha knows ha to behave,

Tha'd worrit my life aght i' less nor a wick!

Tell thi mother aw'm net gooin to be just a slave

To a taistrel like thee! soa nah, off tha gooas--Quick!

Horton Tide.

Wor yo ivver at Horton Tide?

It wor thear 'at aw won mi bride;

An the joy o' mi life,

Is mi dear little wife,

An we've three little childer beside.

Aw wor donn'd in a new suit o'clooas,

A cigar wor stuck under mi nooas,

Aw set aght for a spree,

An some frolics to see,

Full o' fun throo mi heead to mi tooas.

Aw met Lijah an Amos, an Bill,

An ov coorse wi' each one aw'd a gill;

Till aw felt rayther mazy,

But net at all crazy,

For aw didn't goa in for mi fill.

As a lad aw'd been bashful an shy,

An aw blushed if a woman went by,

But this day bi gooid luck,

Aw felt chock full o' pluck,

Soa to leet on aw sattled to try.

As aw wandered abaat along th' street,

Who, ov all i' this world should aw meet!

But Mary o' Jooas,

Lukkin red as a rooas,

A'a! but shoo wor bonny an sweet.

Aw nodded an walked bi her side,

To mak misen pleasant aw tried,

But shoo smiled as shoo sed,

'Aw wor wrang i' mi heead,'

An aw'm sewer aw dooan't think 'at shoo lied.

Then aw bowt her some parkin an spice,

An owt else 'at shoo fancied lukt nice,

Then we tuk a short walk,

An we had a long tawk;

Then aw axt if shoo thowt we should splice.

What happen'd at after yo'll guess,--

It wor heaven to me, an nowt less;--

For aw left Horton Tide,

Wi' a promised fair bride,

Soa mi frolic wor craand wi' success.

For shoo's one i' ten thaasand yo see;

An shoo shows 'at shoo's suited wi' me,

An yo chaps 'at want wives

'At will gladden yer lives,

Up at Horton yo'll find 'em to be.

Mi Old Slippers.

Aw'm wearily trudgin throo mire an weet,

For aw've finished another day's wark;

An welcome to me is that flickerin leet,

'At shines throo mi winder i'th' dark.

Aw know ther's mi drinkin just ready o'th' hob,

An a hearthstun as cleean as can be,

For that old wife o' mine allus maks it her job,

To have ivverything gradely for me.

It isn't mich time aw can spend wi' th' old lass,

For aw'm tewin throo early till lat,

An its all aw can do just to get as mich brass

As we need, an sometimes hardly that.

But we keep aght o' debt, soa mi heart's allus leet,

An aw sweeten mi wark wi' a song;

An we try to mak th' best ov what trubbles we meet,

An contentedly struggle along.

Two trusty old friends anent th' foir are set,

They are waitin thear ivvery neet;

They're nobbut a pair o' old slippers, but yet,

They give comfort an rest to mi feet.

Like misen an mi wife, they're fast wearin away,--

They've been shabby for monny a year;

They have been a hansum pair once, aw can say,

Yet to me they wor nivver mooar dear.

Aw hooap they may last wol aw'm summon'd away,

An this life's journey peacefully ends;

For to part wod feel hard, for at this time o'th' day,

It's too lat to be makkin new friends.

Aw know varry weel 'at ther end must be near,

For aw see ha they're worn daan at th' heel;

But they've sarved me reight weel, an aw'st ha nowt to fear,

If aw've sarved His purpose as weel

A Friend to Me.

Poor Dick nah sleeps quietly, his labor is done,

Deeath shut off his steam tother day;

His engine, long active, has made its last run,

An his boiler nah falls to decay.

Maybe he'd his faults, but he'd vartues as well,

An tho' dearly he loved a gooid spree;

If he did onny harm it wor done to hissel:--

He wor allus a gooid friend to me.

His heart it wor tender,--his purse it wor free,

To a friend or a stranger i' need;

An noa matter ha humble or poor they might be,

At his booard they wor welcome to feed.

Wi' his pipe an his glass bi his foirside he'd sit,

Yet some fowk wi' him couldn't agree,

An tho' monny's the time 'at we've differed a bit,

He wor allus a gooid friend to me.

His word wor his bond, for he hated a lie,

An sickophants doubly despised;

He wor ne'er know to cringe to a rich fly-bi-sky,

It wor worth an net wealth 'at he prized.

Aw shall ne'er meet another soa honest an true,

As aw write ther's a tear i' mi ee;

Nah he's gooan to his rest, an aw'll give him his due,--

He wor allus a gooid friend to me.

A Pair o' Black Een.

One neet as aw trudged throo mi wark,

Thinks aw, nah mi labor is done,

Aw feel just inclined for a lark,

For its long sin aw had onny fun.

An ov coorse awd mi wife i' mi mind,

Shoo's a hot en, but then, what bi that!

For when on a spree aw'm inclined,

Aw could nivver get on baght awr Mat.

Sally Slut wor a croney o' hers,

A bonny an warm-hearted lass,

An shoo'd latly been wed to a chap,

'At could booast booath some brains an some brass.

But someha, awr Mat seemed to think,

'At Sally, soa hansum an trim;

For a partner throo life owt to luk

Wi' somdy mich better nor him.

An shoo profiside trubble an care,

Wor i' stoor at noa far distant day,

An shoo muttered "poor Sal, aw declare,

Tha's thrown thisen reight cleean away."

As sooin as aw gate hold o'th' sneck,

Aw walked in wi' a sorrowful face,

Then aw sank like a hawf empty seck

Into th' furst seeat aw coom to i'th' place.

"Gooid gracious, alive! What's to do?"

Says Matty, "whativver's amiss?"

"A'a, lass! tha'll nooan think at its true,--

It's a tarrible come-off is this,"

"Tha knows Sally Slut,--A'a dear me!

To-day as aw went across th' green,

Aw met her,--an what should aw see,--

Why, shoo'd getten a pair o' black een,"

"That scamp! But aw'll sattle wi' him!"

Says Mat, as shoo threw on her shawl,--

"Aw warned her agean weddin Tim,--

But aw'll let him see;--sharply an all!"

Off shoo flew an left me bi misen,

An aw swoller'd mi teah in a sniff,

An aw crept up to bed, thear an then,--

For aw knew shoo'd come back in a tiff.

An shoo did, in a few minnits mooar;

An worn't shoo mad? nivver fear!

An th' laader aw reckoned to snooar,

An th' laader shoo skriked i' mi ear.

Tha thowt tha'd put me in a stew,--

But aw treeat sich like conduct wi' scorn!

But tha didn't fooil me, for aw knew,

Shoo'd black een ivver sin shoo wor born.

Shoo can booast ov her een,--that shoo can!

But shoo's nowt at aw envy,--net me!

Unless it's her bavin a man,

Asteead ov a hawbuck like thee.

A Screw Lawse.

When rich fowk are feastin, an poor fowk are grooanin,

Ther's summat 'at connot be reight.

Wol one lot are cheerin, another lot's mooanin

For want ov sufficient to ait.

Ther must be a screw lawse i'th' social machine,

An if left to goa on varry long,

Ther'll as sewer be a smash as befoortime ther's been,

When gross wrangs ov thooas waik mak em strong.

Discontent may long smolder, but aght it'll burst,

In a flame 'at ther efforts will mock;

An they'll leearn when too lat, 'at they've met the just fate,

Ov thooas who rob th' poor o' ther jock.

A Sad Mishap.

"Come, John lad, tell me what's to do,

Tha luks soa glum an sad;

Is it becoss tha'rt short o' brass?

Or are ta poorly, lad?

Has sombdy been findin fault,

Wi' owt tha's sed or done?

Or are ta bothered wi' thi loom,

Wi' th' warp tha's just begun?

Whativver 'tis, lad, let me know,--

Aw'll help thi if aw can;

Sometimes a woman's ready wit

Is useful to a man.

Tha allus let me share thi joys,--

Let's share when grief prevails;

Tha knows tha sed aw should, John,

I'th' front o'th' alter rails.

We've just been wed a year, lad,

Come Sundy next but three;

But if tha sulks an willn't spaik,

Aw'st think tha'rt stawld o' me.

Aw've done mi best aw'm sewer, John,

To be a wife to thee;

Come tell me what's to do, John,

Wol aw caar o' thi knee."

----------

"Aw've brass enuff to pay mi way,--

Aw'm hearty as needs be;--

Ther's noabdy been findin fault,

An aw'm nooan stawl'd o' thee.

But aw'm soa mad aw connot bide,--

For commin hooam to-neet,

Mi pipe slipt throo between mi teeth,

An smashed to bits i'th' street.

Aw cant think what aw could be doin,

To let the blam'd thing drop!

An a'a! it wor a beauty,

An colored reight to th' top."

If.

Dear Jenny, if fortun should favour mi lot,

Mi own bonny wife tha shall be;

For trubbles an worries we'll care net a jot,

For we'll rout 'em wi' frolic an glee.

We'll have a snug cot wi' a garden at th' back,

An aw'll fix peearks i'th' cellar for hens;

Then a fresh egg for braikfast tha nivver need lack,

When thi fancy to sich a thing tends.

Some cheers an a table, an two-o'-three pans,

Some pots an a kettle for tea;

A bed an a creddle an smart kist o' drawers,

An a rockin-cheer, lass,--that's for thee.

Some books, an some picters to hing up o'th' wall,

To mak th' place luk nobby an neat;

An a rug up o'th' harstun to keep thi tooas warm,

An some slippers to put on thi feet.

An when Sundy comes,--off to th' chapel or church,

An when we get back we'll prepare,

Some sooart ov a meal,--tho its hooamly an rough,

If its whooalsum we nivver need care.

If we're blest wi' a bairn, we mun ne'er be put aght,

If it shows us its tempers an tiffs;

Soa Jenny, have patience, for th' change i' thi state,

Depends varry mich on theas "Ifs."

A True Tale.

Ther's a Squire lives at th' Hall 'at's lukt up to,

As if he wor ommost a god.

He's hansum, he's rich, an he's clivver,

An fowk's praad if he gives 'em a nod.

He keeps carriages, horses an dogs,

For spooartin, or fancy, or labor,

He's a pew set apart in a church,

An he's reckoned a varry gooid naybor.

Ther's a woman bedrabbled an weet,

Crouched daan in a doorhoil to rest;

Her een strangely breet,--her face like a sheet,

An her long hair hings ovver her breast.

Want's shrivell'd her body to nowt,

An vice has set th' stamp on her face;

An her heart's grown soa callous an hard,

'At it connot be touched wi' disgrace.

Ther's a child bundled up i' some rags,

'At's whinin its poor life away;

Neglected an starvin on th' flags,

On this wild, cold an dree winter's day.

An its father is dinin at th' Hall,

An its mother is deein wi' th' cold,

Withaat even a morsel o' breead,

Yet its father is rollin i' gold.

Ther's a grey heeaded man an his wife,

Who are bow'd daan wi' grief,--net wi' years:--

Ivver mournin a dowter they've lost,

Ivver silently dryin ther tears.

Shoo wor th' hooap an pride o' ther life,

Till a Squire put strange thowts in her heead;

Then shoo fled an they ne'er saw her mooar,

Soa they mourn her as if shoo wor deead.

Ther's One up aboon sees it all;

He values noa titles nor brass,

He cares noa mooar for a rich Squire,

Nor He does for a poor country lass,

His messengers now hover near,

Till that mother an child yield ther breath,

An th' Squire has noa longer a fear,

For his secret is lockt up in death.

Peter's Prayer.

His face wor varry thin an pale,

His een wor strangely breet;

His old rags flapt i'th' wintry gale,

An shooless wor his feet.

His teeth they chattered in his heead,

His hands had lost ther use,

He humbly begg'd a bite o' breead,

But nobbut gate abuse.

A curse wor tremblin on his tongue,

But with a mad despair,

He curbed it wi' an effort strong,

An changed it for a prayer.

"Oh, God!" he cried, "spare,--spare aw pray!

Have mercy an forgive;

Befooar too lat, show me some way

My wife an bairns can live!"

"Aw read i'th' papers ivvery day,

Ov hundreds,--thaasands spent

For shot an shell, an things to swell

This nation's armament.

Into fowk's hearts, oh, God! instil

A love ov peace, an then,

Maybe we'st have some better times,

An men can help thersen.

Aw nobbut want a chonce to live,

One cannot wish for less;

Wars fill this world wi' misery,--

Peace gives us happiness.

If monarchs dooant get quite as mich,

Ther joys need not decrease;--

Pray think o'th' poor as weel as th' rich;--

We've but one soul apiece."

Mak th' Best Ont.

Mak th' best on't,--mak th' best on't,--tho' th' job be a bad en,

God bless mi life! childer, its useless to freeat!

This world's reight enuff, but it wod be a sad en,

If we all started rooarin for what we cant get.

Who knows but what th' things we mooast wish for an covet,

Are th' varry warst things we could ivver possess;

Let's shak hands wi' awr luck, an try soa to love it,

'At noa joy ov awr life shall be made onny less.

Mak th' best on't,--mak th' best on't,--ne'er heed if yor naybor

Can live withaat workin wol yo have to slave;

Ther's nowt sweetens life like some honest hard labor,

An it's th' battles yo feight 'at proves yo are brave.

Ne'er heed if grim poverty pays yo a visit,

'Twill nivver stop long if yo show a bold front;

It's noa sin to be poor, if yo cant help it,--is it?

Soa keep up yor pecker an gie sorrow a shunt.

Mak th' best on't,--mak th' best on't,--if Fortune should favor,

An a big share o' blessins pour into yor lap,

'Twill give to yor pleasures a mich better flavor,

If yo share yor gooid luck wi' some other poor chap.

Depend on't, ther's nowt tends to mak life as jolly,

As just to mak th' best ov what falls to yor lot;

For freeatin at best is a waste an a folly,

An it nivver will help to mend matters a jot.

On Strike.

He wandered slipshod through the street,

His clothes had many a rent;

His shoes seemed dropping from his feet,

His eyes were downward bent.

His face was sallow, pale and thin,

His beard neglected grew,

Upon his once close shaven chin,

Like bristles sticking through.

I'd known him in much better state,

As "old hard-working Mike,"

I asked, would he the cause relate?

Said he, "Awm aght on th' strike.

Yo're capt, noa daat, to see me thus,

Aw'm shamed to meet a friend;

It's varry hard on th' mooast on us,

We wish 't wor at an end.

Aw cannot spend mi time i'th' haase,

An see mi childer pine;

They havn't what'll feed a maase,

But that's noa fault o' mine.

Th' wife's varry nearly brokken daan,--

Shoo addles all we get,

Wol aw goa skulkin all throo th' taan,

I' sorrow, rags an debt.

But then yo know it has to be,

Th' committee tells us that;

They owt to know,--but as for me,

Aw find it's hard,--that's flat.

They say 'at th' miaisters suffer mooar

Nor we can ivver guess;--

But th' sufferin they may endure,

Maks mine noa morsel less.

But then th' committee says it's reight;

Soa aw mun rest content,

An we mun still, goa on wi' th' feight,

What comes o' jock or rent.

Aw dooant like to desart mi mates,

But one thing aw dooant like;

When th' table shows but empty plates

It's hard to be on th' strike.

Gooid day,--for cake awst ha to fend,

Them childer's maaths to fill;

Th' committee say th' strike sooin will end;

Aw hooap to God it will."

Be Happy.

Some fowk ivverlastinly grummel,

At th' world an at th' fowk ther is in it;

If across owt 'at's pleasant they stummel,

They try to pick faults in a minnit.

We all have a strinklin o' care,

An they're lucky 'at ne'er meet a trubble,

But aw think its unkind, an unfair,

To mak ivvery misfortun seem double.

Some grummel if th' sun doesn't shine,--

If it does they find cause for complainin;

Discontented when th' weather wor fine,

They start findin fault if its rainin.

Aw hate sich dissatisfied men,

An fowk 'at's detarmined to do soa,

Aw'd mak 'em goa live bi thersen,

Aght o'th' world,--like a Robinson Crusoe.

To mak th' pleasures surraandin us less,

Ivvery reight-minded man must think sinful;

When ther's soa mich to cheer us an bless,

Ov happiness let's have a skinful.

Aw truly mooast envy that man,

Who's gladly devotin his leisure,

To mak th' world as breet as he can,

An add to its stock ov pure pleasure.

It's true ther's hard wark to be done,

An mooast on us drop in to share it;

But if sprinkled wi' innocent fun,

Why, we're far better able to bear it.

May we live long surraanded wi' friends,

To enjoy what is healthful an pure;

An at last when this pilgrimage ends,

We shall nivver regret it aw'm sure.

Its True.

Ther's things i'plenty aw despise;--

False pride an wild ambition;

Tho' ivvery man should strive to rise,

An better his condition.

Aw hate a meean an grovlin soul,

I' breast ov peer or ploughman,

But what aw hate the mooast ov all,

Is th' chap 'at strikes a woman.

For let ther faults be what they may,

He proves 'at he's a low man,

Who lifts his hand bi neet or day,

An strikes a helpless woman.

Ther taunts may oft be hard to bide,--

Ther tempers may be fiery,

But passions even dwell inside

The convent an the priory.

An all should think where'er we dwell,

Greek, Saxon, Gaul or Roman;

We're net sich perfect things ussel,

As to despise a woman.

For let ther faults, &c.

It's true old Eve first made a slip,

An fill'd this world wi' bother;

But Adam had to bite his lip,--

He couldn't get another.

An tho' at th' present day they swarm,

That chap proves his own foeman,

Who doesn't tak his strong reight arm,

An twine it raand a woman.

For let ther faults, &c.

A chap may booast he's number one,

An lord it o'er creation;

May spaat an praich, but when he's done,

He'll find his proper station.

He may be fast when at his best,

But age maks him a slow man,

An as he sinks, he's fain to rest,

On some kind-hearted woman.

For let ther faults, &c.

Aw wodn't gie a pinch o' salt,

For that cold-hearted duffer,

Who glories o'er a woman's fault,

An helps to mak her suffer.

Ther's net a cock e'er flapt a wing,

'At had th' same reight to crow, man;

As th' chap who wi' a weddin ring,

Has made a happy woman.

Then let ther faults be what they will,

Ther net for me to show, man;

But if yo seek for comfort, still,

Yo'll find it in a woman.

Natty Nancy.

"Mooar fowk get wed nor what do weel,"

A've heeard mi mother say;

But mooast young lads an lasses too,

Think just th' contrary way.

An lasses mooar nor lads it seems,

To wed seem nivver flaid;

For nowt they seem to dreead as mich

As deein an old maid.

But oft for single life they sigh,

An net withaat a cause,

When wi' ther tongue they've teed a knot,

Ther teeth's too waik to lawse.

Days arn't allus weddin days,

They leearn that to ther sorrow,

When panics come an th' brass gets done,

An they've to try to borrow.

When th' chap at th' strap shop's lukkin glum,

An hardly seems to know yo;

An gooas on sarvin other fowk

As if he nivver saw yo.

An when yo're fain to pile up th' foir,

Wi' bits o' cowks an cinders;--

When poverty says, "here' aw've come,"

Love hooks it aght o'th' winders.

Friends yo once had are far too thrang

To ax yo to yer drinkin;

They happen dunnot meean owt wrang,--

But one cannot help for thinkin.

An when yo're lukkin seedy like,

Wi' patched an tattered clooas;

Yo'll find when yer coit elbows gape,

Sich friends oft shut ther doors.

Ther are poor fowk 'at's happier far,

Nor rich ens,--ther's noa daat on't,

For brass cannot mak happiness,

But sewerly it's a pairt on't.

Aw'll tell yo ov a tale aw heeard,--

It's one 'at tuk mi fancy,--

Abaat a young chap an his wife,

They called her Natty Nancy.

They called her Natty, yo mun know

Becoss shoo wor soa clivver,

At darnin, cookin, weshin clooas

Or onny job whativver.

Well, they began as monny do

'At arn't blest wi' riches;

He hugg'd all th' fortun he possessed

I'th' pocket ov his britches.

It worn't mich, it wodn't raich

Aboon a two-o'-three shillin;

But they wor full ov hooap an health,

An they wor strong an willin.

An fowk wor capt to see ha sooin

Ther little cot grew cooasy;

Shoo'd allus summat cheerful like,

If't nobbut wor a pooasy.

Soa time slipt on, an all went weel

When Dick sed, "Natty, lass,

A-latly aw've begun to feel

Aw'st like a bigger haase.

For when aw tuk this cot for thee,

We'd nubdy but ussen;

But sin that lad wor born ther's three,

An ther'll sooin be four, an then?"

"Why, Dick," shoo sed, "just suit thisen,

Here's raam enuff for me;

But if tha'rt anxious for a change,

Aw'm willin to agree."

Soa sooin they tuk a bigger haase,

They tew'd throo morn to neet,

To mak it smart, an varry sooin

'Twor th' nicest haase i'th' street.

An when a little lass wor born

They thowt ther pleasur double;

But Dick, alas! had nah to taste

A little bit o' trubble.

For times wer growin varry hard,

An wark kept gettin slacker;

He'd furst to goa withaat his ale,

An then to stop his bacca.

But even that did net suffice

To keep want at a distance,

An they'd noa whear i'th' world to turn,

To luk for some assistance.

An monny a time he left his meal

Untouched, tho' ommost pinin;

An trail'd abaat, i' hooaps to find

Some breeter fortun shinin.

For long he sowt, but sowt in vain,

Although his heart wor willin

To turn or twist a hundred ways,

To get an honest shillin.

One day his wife coom back throo th' shop,

Her heart seem'd ommost brustin;

Shoo sob'd, "Oh, Dick,--what mun we do,

Th' shop keeper's stall'd o' trustin.

We've nowt to ait, lad, left i'th' haase,--

Aw know th' fault isn't thine,

But th' childer's bellies mun be fill'd

Tho' thee an me's to pine."

Dick seized his hat an aght o'th' door

He flew like somdy mad,

Detarmined 'at he'd get some brass,

If brass wor to be had.

He furst tried them he thowt his friends,

An tell'd his touchin stooary;

They button'd up ther pockets

As they sed, "We're varry sooary."

They tell'd him to apply to th' taan,

Or sell his goods an chattels;

Dick felt at last 'at he'd to feight

One o' life's hardest battles.

For when he'd tried 'em ivvery one

He fan aght to his sorrow,

'At fowk wi' brass have far mooar friends,

Nor them 'at wants to borrow.

Wi' empty hands, hooamwards he went,

An thear on th' doorstep gleamin,

Wor ligg'd a shillin, raand an white;--

He thowt he must be dreamin.

He rub'd his een, an eyed it o'er,

A-feeard lest it should vanish,

He sed, "some angel's come aw'm sewer,

Awr misery to banish."

He pickt it up an lifted th' sneck,

Then gently oppen'd th' door,

An thear wor Nancy an his bairns,

All huddled up o'th' flooar.

"Cheer up!" he sed, "gooid luck's begun,

Here,--tak this brass an spend it;

It isn't mine, lass, but aw'm sewer

Aw think the Lord has sent it."

A'a! ha her heart jumpt up wi' joy!

Shoo felt leet as a feather;

An off shoo went an bowt some stuff,

Then they set daan together.

Befooar they'd weel begun, at th' door,

They heeard a gentle tappin,

"Goa Dick," shoo sed, "luk sharp,--awm sewer

Aw heead sombody rappin."

It wor a poor old beggar man

Who ax'd for charity;

"Come in!" sed Dick, "it's borrow'd stuff,

But tha shall share wi' me.

Soa set thi jaws a waggin lad,--

It's whooalsum, nivver heed it,

An if tha ivver has a chonce,

Pay back to them 'at need it."

Wi' th' best they had th' old chap wor plied,

An but few words wor spokken,

Till th' old chap pushed his plate aside,

An silence then wor brokken.

"Aw'm varry old an worn," he sed,

This life's soa full o' cares,

Yet have aw sometimes entertained

An angel unawares.

Ther's One aboon reads ivvery heart,

An them 'at he finds true,

Altho' He tries 'em sooar,--at last,

He minds to pool 'em throo.

Then nivver let yor faith grow dim,

Altho yo've hard to feight;

Just let yer trust all rest o' Him,

An He'll put all things straight,

He quietly sydled aght o'th' door,

An when they lukt araand,

A purse they'd nivver seen befooar

Wor liggin up o'th' graand.

Dick pickt it up--what could it be?

He hardly dar to fancy;--

"Why, its addressed to thee an me!

To Dick an Natty Nancy!"

----------

They oppened it wi' tremblin hands,

An when they saw the treasure;

'Twor hard to say which filled 'em mooast,

Astonishment or pleasur.

Ther wor a letter for 'em too,

An this wor ha it ended,--

"You once helped me, may this help you,--

From one you once befriended,"

---------

They nivver faand aght who he wor,

Altho' they spared noa labor;

But for his sake they ne'er refuse

To help ther needy naybor.

Fugitive poems.

By John Hartley.

Not written in the Yorkshire Dialect.

Angels of Sunderland. In Memoriam, June 16th, 1893.

On the sixteenth of June, eighteen eighty-three,

The children of Sunderland hastened to see,

Strange wonders performed by a mystic man,

Believing,--as only young children can.

And merry groups chattered, as hand in hand,

They careered through the streets of Sunderland.

In holiday dress, and with faces clean,

And hearts as light as the lightest, I ween;--

The hall was soon crowded, and wondering eyes,

Expressed their delight at each fresh surprise;

The sight of their bright, eager faces was grand,--

Such a mass of fair blossoms of Sunderland.

With wonder and laughter the moments fly,

And the wizard at last bade them all good-bye,

But not till he promised that each one there,

In his magical fortune should have a share;--

Such a wonderful man with such liberal hand,

Had never before been in Sunderland.

They danced, and they shouted, and full of glee,

They rushed to find out what these presents could be,

And the sea of young faces was borne along,

Until checked by a barrier, stout and strong;

And then the bright current was brought to a stand,

And a heart piercing shriek rang through Sunderland.

Then the hearts of the little ones filled with fear,

With a sickening sense of a danger near;

And with frantic efforts they strove to flee,

To the homes where they knew there would safety be;

And deaf alike to request or command,

Rushed to death,--the sweet flowers of Sunderland.

Swift flew the alarm from street to street,

And swiftly responded the hurrying feet.

Fathers and mothers with grief gone wild,

Cried as they ran, "Oh, my child! my child!"

Women half fainting, and men all unmanned,--

'Twas a sad, sad day for Sunderland.

Pen cannot tell what keen anguish wrung,

Their bleeding hearts, as the fair and young,

Were dragged from the struggling, groaning mass,

Mangled, disfigured and dead, Alas!

And offers of help came from every hand,

For they were the children of Sunderland.

Quickly and tenderly, one by one,

They were brought to light, till the task was done;

The wounded were tended with kindness and skill;

Side by side lay the dead,--all so ghastly and still;--

What a terrible tale told that silent band,

As the Sabbath sun rose over Sunderland.

In the promise of beauty and strength cut down,

Two hundred spirits from earth had flown;

Two hundred frail caskets that love could not save,

Awaiting their last earthly home in the grave;

And a crowd of white angels expectant stand,

To welcome the angels from Sunderland.

Woe in the cottage, and woe in the hall;--

Woe in the hearts of the great and the small;--

Woe in the streets,--in the houses of prayer;

Woe had its dwelling place everywhere.

Suffering and sorrow on every hand,--

Woe-woe-woe throughout Sunderland.

Who can give comfort in grief such as this?

Man's arm is helpless,--no power is his.

There is but One unto whom we can flee,

One who in mercy cries, "Come unto me."

One who in pity outstretches His hand,

To the heart-broken mourners of Sunderland.

Sad will the homes be for many a day,

Where the light of the household has been snatched away;

But through the dull cloud of our sorrow and pain,

Shines the hope that at last we may meet them again;

For on the bright shores of the 'better land,'

Are gathered the treasures of Sunderland.

Trusting Still.

When shall we meet again?

One more year passed;

One more of grief and pain;--

Maybe the last.

Are the years sending us

Farther apart?

Or love still blending us

Heart into heart?

Do love's fond memories

Brighten the way,

Or faith's fell enemies

Darken thy day?

Oh! could the word unkind

Be recalled now,

Or in the years behind

Buried lie low,

How would my heart rejoice

As round it fell,

Sweet cadence of thy voice,

Still loved so well.

Sometimes when sad it seems

Whisperings say:

"Cherish thy baseless dreams,

Yet whilst thou may,

Try not to pierce the veil,

Lest thou should'st see,

Only a dark'ning vale

Stretching for thee."

But Hope's mist-shrouded sun

Once more breaks out,

Chasing the shadows dim,

Heavy with doubt.

And far ahead I see,

Two rays entwine;

One faint, as soul of me,

One bright like thine.

And in that welcome sign,

Clearly I view,

Proof of this trust of mine,--

Thou art still true.

Shiver the Goblet.

Shiver the goblet and scatter the wine!

Tempt me no more with the sight!

I care not though brightly as ruby it shine,

Like a serpent I know it will bite.

Give me the clustering fruit of the vine,--

Heap up my dish if you will,--

But banish the poison that lurks in the wine,

That dulls reason and fetters the will.

Oft has it lured me to deeds I detest,--

Filled me with passions debased;

Robbed me of all that was dearest and best,

And left scars that can ne'er be effaced.

Oh! that the generous rich would but think,

As they scatter their wealth far and wide,

Of the evil that lives in the ocean of drink,

Of the thousands that sink in its tide.

They give of their substance to help the poor wretch,

The victim of custom and laws;

But never attempt the strong arm to outstretch,

To try to abolish the cause.

The preacher as well may his eloquence spare,

Nor his tales of "glad tidings" need tell,

If by precepts he urge them for heaven to prepare,

Whilst his practice leads downward to hell.

Erect new asylums and hospitals raise,--

Build prisons for creatures of sin;--

Can these be a means to improve the world's ways?

Or one soul from destruction e'er win?

No!--License the cause and encourage the sale

Of the evil one's strongest ally,

And in vain then lament that the curse should prevail,--

And in vain o'er the fallen ones sigh.

Strike the black blot from the laws of the land!

And take the temptation away;

Then give to the struggling and weak one's a hand,

To pilot them on the safe way.

Can brewers, distillers, or traffickers pray

For the blessing of God, on the seed

Which they sow for the harvest of men gone astray?

Of ruin, the fruit of their greed?

No bonds can be forged the drink-demon to bind,

That will hinder its power for ill;

For a way to work mischief it surely will find,

Let us watch and contrive as we will.

Then drive out the monster! The plague-breathing pest;

And so long as our bodies have breath,

Let us fight the good fight, never stopping for rest,

Till at last we rejoice o'er its death.

Little Sunshine.

Winsome, wee and witty,

Like a little fay,

Carolling her ditty

All the livelong day,

Saucy as a sparrow

In the summer glade,

Flitting o'er the meadow

Came the little maid.

A youth big and burly,

Loitered near the stile,

He had risen early,

Just to win her smile.

And she came towards him

Trying to look grave,

But she couldn't do it,

Not her life to save.

For the fun within her,

Well'd out from her eyes,

And the tell-tale blushes

To her brow would rise.

Then he gave her greeting,

And with bashful bow,

Said in tones entreating,

"Darling tell me now,

You are all the sunshine,

This world holds for me;

Be my little valentine,

I have come for thee."

But she only tittered

When he told his love,

And the gay birds twittered

On the boughs above;

He continued pleading,

Calling her his sun--

Said his heart was bleeding,--

Which seemed famous fun.

Then he turned to leave her.

But she caught his hand,

And its gentle pressure

Made him understand,

That in spite of teasing,

He her heart had won,

And through life hereafter,

She would be his sun.

----------

Now they have been married

Twenty years or more,

But she's just as wilful

As she was before.

And she's just as winsome

In his eyes to-day,

As when first be met her,

Mischievous and gay.

Will the years ne'er tame her?

Will she ne'er grow old?

Does the grave man blame her?

Does he never scold?

Does he never weary

Of her ready tongue?

Does he love her dearly

As when he was young?

Yes--she was the sunshine

Of his youthful day,

And her light laugh cheers him

Now he's growing gray.

Happy little woman,

That time cannot tame;

Happy sober husband,

Loving still the same.

Happy in her lightness

When life's morn was bright,

Happy in her brightness

As draws on the night.

Passing Events.

Passing events,--tell, what are they I pray?

Are they some novelty?--Nay, nay, nay!

Ever since the world its course began,

Since the breath of life was breathed into man,

Still rolling on with the wane of time,

Through every nation, in every clime;

In every spot where man has his home,

Ever they long for events to come.

Hours or days or years it may be,

Before hopes realization they see;

And no sooner it comes than it hastes away,

And others rush after no longer to stay.

And there scarcely is time to know its in sight,

E'er its found to be leaving with marvellous flight,

And what had been longed for with eager intent,

Is chronicled but as a passing event.

Hope's joys are uncertain;--anxiety rules,

Expectancy's paradise, peopled by fools;

And the present has oft so much bustle and care,

That the joys spread around we have no time to share.

He is surer of peace who leaves future to fate,

And the present joy snatches before it's too late;

But he's safest by far, who in mem'ry holds fast,

The sweet tastes and joys of events that are past.

Those Days have Gone.

Those days have gone, those happy days,

When we two loved to roam,

Beside the rivulet that strays,

Near by my rustic home.

Yes, they have fled, and in the past,

We've left them far behind,

Yet dear I hold, those days of old,

When you were true and kind.

You dreamed not then of wealth or fame,

The world was bright and fair,

I seldom knew a grief or game,

That you, too, did not share.

And though I mourn my hapless fate,

In mem'ry's store I find,

And dearly hold those days of old,

When you were true and kind.

Say, can the wealth you now possess,

Such happiness procure,

As did our youthful pleasures bless,

When both our hearts were pure?

No,--and though wandering apart,

I strive to be resigned;

And dearer hold those days of old,

When you were true and kind.

And if your thoughts should turn to me,

With one pang of regret,

Know that this heart, still beats for thee,

And never will forget;

Those tender links of long ago

Are round my heart entwined,

And dear I hold those days of old,

When you were true and kind.

I'd a Dream.

I'd a dream last night of my boyhood's days,

And the scenes where my youth was spent;

And I roamed the old woods where the squirrel plays,

Full of frolicsome merriment.

And I walked by the brook, and its silvery tone,

Seemed to soothe me again as of yore;

And I stood by the cottage with moss overgrown

And the woodbine that trailed round the door.

No change could I see in the garden plot,

The flowers bloomed brightly around,

And one little bed of forget-me-not

In its own little corner I found.

The sky had a home-look, the breeze seemed to sigh,

In the strain I remembered so well,

And the little brown sparrows looked cunning and shy,

As though anxious some story to tell.

But as quietness reigned and a loneliness fell,

O'er the place that had once been so gay;

Its sunlight had saddened since I bade farewell,

And left it for lands far away.

The door stood ajar and I sought for a face,

Of the dear ones I longed so to see;

But others I knew not were now in the place,

And their presence was painful to me.

A pang of remorse seemed to shoot through my heart,

As I left with a sorrowing tread,

From all the familiar objects to part;

For I knew that the loved ones were dead.

The home once my own, now knows me no more,

The treasures that bound me all gone,

And I woke with cheeks tear-stained, and heart sadly sore,

To find that a home I had none.

To my Harp.

Wake up my harp! thy strings begin to rust!

Has the soul fled that once within thee dwelt?

Idle so long, shake off that coat of dust!

Are there no souls to cheer, no hearts to melt?

Are there no victims under tyrants' yoke,

Whose wrongs thy stirring music should proclaim?

Or have the fetters of mankind been broke?

Or are there none deserving songs of fame?

Awake! awake! thy slumber has been long!

And let thy chords once more arouse the heart;

And teach us in thy most impassioned song,

How in our sphere we best may play our part.

Tell the down-trodden, who with daily toil,

Wear out their lives, another's greed to fill;

That they have rights and interests in the soil,

And they can win them if they have the will.

Tell the high-born that chance of birth ne'er gave

To them a right to carve another's fate;

Nor yet to make the humbler born a slave,

Whose heart with goodness may be doubly great.

Tell the hard-handed poor, yet honest man,

That though through roughest ways of life he plod,

Nature hath placed upon his birth no ban,--

All men are equal in the sight of God.

And yet a softer, pitying strain let pour,

To soothe the anguish of the troubled soul,

And fill the heart bereaved, with hope once more,

And from the brow the heavy grief-cloud roll.

Cheer on the brave who struggle in the fight,--

And warn oppression of the gathering storm,

And drag the deeds of false ones to the light,--

And herald in the day of true reform.

Nor leave the gentler, loving themes, unsung,

Compassionate the maiden's tender woes,

Revive the faint who are with fears unstrung,

And solace them who writhe in suffering's throes.

Awake! awake! there's need enough of thee,

Nor let again such sloth enchain thy tongue,

And may thy constant effort henceforth be,

To plant the right, and to uproot the wrong.

Backward Turn, Oh! Recollection.

Backward turn, oh! recollection!

Far, far back to childhoods' days;

To those treasures of affection,

'Round which loving memory plays

Show to me the loving faces

Of my parents, now no more,--

Fill again the vacant places

With the images of yore.

Conjure up the home where comfort

Seemed to make its cosy nest;

Where the stranger's only passport,

Was the need of food and rest.

Show the schoolhouse where with others,

I engaged in mental strife,

And the playground, where as brothers

Running, jumping, full of life.

Now I see the lovely maiden,

That my young heart captive led;

Like a sylph, with gold curls laden,

And her lips of cherry red.

Now fond voices seem to echo,

Tones as when I heard them last;

And my heart sighs sadly, Heigh, ho!

For the joys for ever past.

From the past back to the present,

Come, ye wandering thoughts again;

Memories however pleasant,

Will not rid to-day of pain,

Now we live, the past is buried,--

We are midway in life's stream;

Onward, onward! ever hurried,--

And the futures but a dream.

Alice.

Dear little Alice lay dying;--

I see her as if 'twas to-day,

And we stood round her snowy bed, crying,

And watching her life ebb away.

'Twas a beautiful day in the spring,

The sun shone out warmly and clear;

And the wee birds, their love songs to sing

Came and perched on the trees that grew near.

In the distance, the glistening sea,

Could be heard in a deep solemn tone,

As if murmuring in sad sympathy,

For our griefs and our hopes that had flown.

The windows, wide open, allowed

The soft wind to fan her white cheek,

As with uncovered heads, mutely bowed,

We stood watching, not daring to speak.

We were only her playmates,--no tie

Of relationship drew us that way,

We'd been told that dear Alice must die,

And she'd begg'd she might see us that day.

We were all full of sorrow, and tears

We all shed,--but not one showed surprise;

Of her future we harboured no fears,

For we knew she was fit for the skies.

Ever gentle and kind as a dove,

To each one she knew she had been;

She had ruled her dominion by love,

And we all paid her homage as Queen.

Her strange beauty, now, as I look back,

I can see as I ne'er saw it then;

But words to describe it I lack,

It could never be told by a pen.

Half asleep, half awake, as she lay,

With her golden curls round her pale face;

A smile round her lips 'gan to play,

And her eyes gazed intently on space.

With an effort she half raised her head,

And looked lovingly round us on all,

Then she motioned us nearer the bed;

And we silently answered her call.

Then she put out her tiny white hand,

The friend nearest her took it in his;

And so faintly she whispered "Good-bye,"

As he printed upon it a kiss.

One by one, boy and girl, did the same,

And she bade them 'farewell' as they passed

Calling everyone by their name,

'Till it came to my turn;--I was last,

"Good-bye, Harry," she breathed very low,

And her eyes to my soul seemed to speak;

And she strove not to let my hand go,

Till I stooped down and kissed her pale cheek.

Then she wearily laid down her head,

And she closed her blue eyes with a sigh;--

"Don't forget me, dear Harry, when dead,

But meet me in Heaven by-and-bye."

And that whisper I never forgot,

And her hand's dying clasp I feel still;

For I swore, that whatever my lot,

I'd be true to that child,--and I will.

It may be a foolish conceit,

But it oft is a solace for me,

To think, when life's troubles I meet,

There's an angel in Heaven cares for me.

Friends deplore my lone bachelor state,

Some may pity, and others deride;

But they know not for Alice I wait,

Who took with her my heart when she died.

Looking Back.

I've been sitting reviewing the past, dear wife,

From the time when a toddling child,--

Through my boyish days with their joys and strife,--

Through my youth with its passions wild.

Through my manhood, with all its triumph and fret,

To the present so tranquil and free;

And the years of the past that I most regret,

Are the years that I passed without thee.

It was best we should meet as we did, dear wife,--

It was best we had trouble to face;

For it bound us more closely together through life,

And it nerved us for running the race.

We are nearing the end where the goal is set,

And we fear not our destiny,

And the only years that I now regret,

Are the years that I passed without thee.

'Twas thy beauty attracted my eye, dear wife,

But thy goodness that kept me true;

'Twas thy sympathy soothed me when cares were rife,

'Twas thy smile gave me courage anew.

Thy bloom may be faded by time, but yet,

Thou hast still the same beauty to me,

And no part of my past do I now regret,

Save the years that I passed without thee.

We have struggled and suffered our share, dear wife,

But our joys have been many and sweet;

And our trust in each other has taken from life,

The heartaches and pangs others meet.

I still bless the day, long ago, when we met,

And my prayer for the future shall be,

That when the call comes and thy life's sun has set,

I may never be parted from thee.