Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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LUCE. |
 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
LUCE.
Jolly Luce, better known as the mother of Siss,
Is delightfully human,
The big apple-woman
Whose fruit in the season you hardly could miss;
She has many a basket
And one roomy stall,
Though her figure may mask it
If ever you call.
Her umbrageous proportions are landmarks to see
And to fashion your course,
Or a friendly resource—
But, when signals mark danger, a foreland to flee.
Is delightfully human,
The big apple-woman
Whose fruit in the season you hardly could miss;
She has many a basket
And one roomy stall,
Though her figure may mask it
If ever you call.
Her umbrageous proportions are landmarks to see
And to fashion your course,
Or a friendly resource—
But, when signals mark danger, a foreland to flee.
524
There's a husband about, a promoter of fears
And rude temper and tattle,
With bloodshed and battle,
Who seems always “wanted ”and seldom appears.
He has troublesome yearnings
For oysters and stout,
And is dead on her earnings
When Law lets him out.
But big Luce has a method and arm of her own
And is awkward to face,
Like a bear's rough embrace,
Till the devil is laid and the tempest is blown.
And rude temper and tattle,
With bloodshed and battle,
Who seems always “wanted ”and seldom appears.
He has troublesome yearnings
For oysters and stout,
And is dead on her earnings
When Law lets him out.
But big Luce has a method and arm of her own
And is awkward to face,
Like a bear's rough embrace,
Till the devil is laid and the tempest is blown.
O big Luce has a spirit as large as her frame
And a proper affection,
With kind recollection
Of others if down on their luck or in shame.
Are you short of a shilling,
Or faint for a feed?
She is never unwilling,
To lend what you need.
If a neighbour is sick or a child seeks a rest,
She is foremost of all
And at ev'ry one's call,
And would gather the world on her infinite breast.
And a proper affection,
With kind recollection
Of others if down on their luck or in shame.
Are you short of a shilling,
Or faint for a feed?
She is never unwilling,
To lend what you need.
If a neighbour is sick or a child seeks a rest,
She is foremost of all
And at ev'ry one's call,
And would gather the world on her infinite breast.
But the “apple” (she says) “of her eye” is bright Siss—
Yes, for her she keeps scraping
And screwing, and shaping
Her efforts, that she may have plenty and bliss.
So big Luce goes on trudging
From morning to night,
And except in her drudging
Scarce finds a delight.
And the seasons go out and the seasons come in
With their changes and chimes,
And are just working times
Only ending again the same round to begin.
Yes, for her she keeps scraping
And screwing, and shaping
Her efforts, that she may have plenty and bliss.
So big Luce goes on trudging
From morning to night,
And except in her drudging
Scarce finds a delight.
And the seasons go out and the seasons come in
With their changes and chimes,
And are just working times
Only ending again the same round to begin.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |