University of Virginia Library

And so she did: so Nelly come,
And this Cain, for all, was away from home.
So ups with Nelly, and took and tould her
All about it. She didn' scould her—
No, no! not her—but just the way
It was; and the people had got it to say—
“What people?” says Nelly, and the stiff she stood!
“What people? if you'll be so good?”
“A friend of yours,” says Mrs. Cain,
“A lovin' friend”—“That's the people you mean,”
Says Nelly, as sharp! So she didn' deny,
Didn' the misthress, but fit to cry;
For she thought this Nelly was rather hard,
For a young thing like that, and wasn' prepared.
And bless ye! maybe a bit of a brazen,
Thinks the misthress: but everything in its saison—
I never wasn' for imprince—no!
I don't like it. But, even so—
Dear me! there's things—why, bless your noddy!
Musn' a body stand up to a body,
When there's one body botherin' at him,
And another body at the bottom—
And you don't know, but still you've a guess?
Ah! I'll tell ye what it is—
That's hard, if you like! your life, your love,
Your heart of hearts—and they'll take and shove
Their fist in there! aw, I know it well!
And no mistake about this gel,
No mistake! and the pride and the pluck,
And the touch-me-not! look out, my buck!
Will she? won't she? what's the use?
Aye, and see ye at the deuce!
As quite as a lamb, and as bold as a ferret—
Some women's got a terr'ble sperrit.