“Come, nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,”
Are words but rudely said;
Though they may cheer some stricken heart,
Or raise some wretched head;
For they are words I love mysel,
They’re music to my ear;
They muster up fresh energy
An’ chase each doubt an’ fear.
Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Though tha be poor indeed;
Ner lippen ta long i’ th’ turnin’ up
Sa mich ov a friend in need;
Fur few ther are, an’ far between,
That help a poor man thru;
An’ God helps them at help therseln,
An’ they hev friends enew.
Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Whativver thi creditors say;
Tell um at least tha’rt foarst ta owe,
If tha artant able ta pay;
An’ if they nail thi bits o’ traps,
An’ sell tha dish an’ spooin;
Remember fickle forten lad,
Shoo changes like the mooin.
Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Though some may laugh an’ scorn;
There wor nivver a neet afore ta neet,
Bud what ther’ com a morn;
An’ if blind forten used tha bad,
Sho’s happen noan so meean;
Ta morn al come, an’ then fer some
The sun will shine ageean.
Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Bud let thi motto be,—
“Onward!” an’ “Excelsior;”
An’ try for t’ top o’t’ tree:
An’ if thi enemies still pursue,
Which ten-ta-one they will,
Show um owd lad, tha’rt doin’ weel,
An’ climin’ up the hill.
Owd Betty’s Advice.
So Mary, lass, tha’rt bahn to wed
It mornin’, we young Blacksmith Ned,
An’ though it maks thi mother sad,
It’s like to be;
I’ve nowt ageean yond dacent lad,
No more ner thee.
Bud let me tell tha what ta due,
For my advise might help tha thru;
Be kind, and to thi husband true,
An’ I’ll be bun
Tha’ll nivver hev a day ta rue
For owt that’s done.
Nah, try to keep thi former knack,
An’ du thi weshin’ in a crack,
Bud don’t be flaid to bend thi back,
Tha’ll nobbut sweeat;
So try an’ hev a bit o’ tack,
An’ du it neeat.
Be sure tha keeps fra bein’ a flirt,
An’ pride thysel i’ bein’ alert,—
An’ mind ta mend thi husband’s shirt,
An’ keep it cleean;
It wod thi poor owd mother hurt,
If tha wur meean.