And when his wife's in child-bed, when she groans,

She'll send for me until the pains have ceased,

And give me leavings at the christening feast.

And sit aslant to eye me as I eat,

"You're only wanted here, ma'am, for to-day,

Just for the christ'ning party, for the treat,

Don't ever think I mean to let you stay;

Two's company, three's none, that's what I say."

Life can be bitter to the very bone

When one is poor, and woman, and alone.