I

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

II

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

III

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

IV

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

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

VI

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

VII

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

VIII

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

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

X

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