The Old Couple
Ah, we remember, I and John,
The waiting till youth is spoiled;
I'd never owe my bread to a son,
And sit while he toiled and moiled,
And see the lass he hoped to wive
Grow old unmarried, since I was alive.
That was the way in our time, though.
But I never liked the way!
It kept us single till forty, I know.
And married us old and grey;
And set me only one child on my knee;
Who shall not suffer as much from me.
And so to-morrow we leave the place
To go to the House up yon.
Yes, as you say, 'tis a sad disgrace ;
We've worked hard, I and John:
We've worked until we can work no more. . . .
The Lord shouldn't grant a long life to the poor.
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