Possum
I looks at 'er, she smiles at me, an' when I seen that smile:
"Aw, poultices!" I groans. An' she injoys it all the while!
But I'm marri'd to a woman; an', I gives yeh my straight tip,
It makes a man feel glad uv it when sickness gits a grip.
'Er looks is full uv tenderness, 'er ways is full uv love,
An' 'er touch is like a blessin' as she gently bends above.
'Er speech is firm, but motherin'; 'er manners strict, but mild:
Yer 'er 'usban', an' 'er patient, an' 'er little orphin child.
When yer marri'd to a woman an' yer feelin' well and right;
When yer frame is full uv ginger an' yer mouth is full uv skite,
Then yeh tork about the "missus" in an 'orf'and sort uv way:
She's 'andy in the 'ouse if she don't 'ave too much to say.
But when Ole Man Sciatiker, 'e does yeh up reel neat,
Then she's yer own reel mate, she is, an' all yer 'ands an' feet.
