The Widow in the Bye Street

by John Masefield

A policeman spat, two lawyers talked statistics,

'"Crime passionel" in Agricultural Districts.'

'They'd oughtn't hang a boy': but one said 'Stuff.

This sentimental talk is rotten, rotten.

The law's the law and not half strict enough,

Forgers and murderers are misbegotten,

Let them be hanged and let them be forgotten.

A rotten fool should have a rotten end;

Mend them, you say? The rotten never mend.'

And one 'Not mend? The rotten not, perhaps.