196
GRANDMOTHER.
You must have heard
Your mother, children! often tell of her.
She used to weed in the garden here, and worm
Your uncle's [1]dogs, and serve the house with coal;
And glad enough she was in winter time
To drive her asses here! it was cold work
To follow the slow beasts thro' sleet and snow,
And here she found a comfortable meal
And a brave fire to thaw her, for poor Moll
Was always welcome.
HARRY.
Oh—'twas blear-eyed Moll
The collier woman,—a great ugly woman,
I've heard of her.
You must have heard
Your mother, children! often tell of her.
She used to weed in the garden here, and worm
Your uncle's [1]dogs, and serve the house with coal;
And glad enough she was in winter time
To drive her asses here! it was cold work
To follow the slow beasts thro' sleet and snow,
And here she found a comfortable meal
And a brave fire to thaw her, for poor Moll
Was always welcome.
HARRY.
Oh—'twas blear-eyed Moll
The collier woman,—a great ugly woman,
I've heard of her.
- ↑ I know not whether this cruel and stupid custom is common in other parts of England. It is supposed to prevent the dogs from doing any mischief should they afterwards become mad.
