And Susannah walked beside me,
As became the wiser and older,
Fast to one finger, but Mary-Jane
Sat solemnly up on my shoulder.
And we bought some sweets, and a monkey
That climbed up a stick “quite nice.”
And then last we adjourned for refreshments,
And the ladies had each an ice.
And Susannah’s ice was a pink one,
And she sucked it up so quick,
But Mary-Jane silently proffered
Her ice to me for a lick.
And then we went home to mother,
And we found her upon the floor,
And father was trying to balance
His shoulders against the door.
And Susannah said “O” and “Please, sir,
We’ll go in ourselves, sir!” And
We kissed one another and parted,
And they stole in hand in hand.
And it’s O for my two little darlings
I never shall see again,
Though I stand for the whole night watching
And crying here in the rain!
II.
“HERE AND THERE.”
IN THE PIT.
“chant of the firemen.”
“This is the steamer’s pit.
The ovens like dragons of fire
Glare thro’ their close-lidded eyes
With restless hungry desire.
“Down from the tropic night
Rushes the funnelled air;
Our heads expand and fall in;
Our hearts thump huge as despair.