University of Virginia Library

Sir, said the stalwart maiden, as she strode
Beside him, bent beneath that lofty load
Of luggage that she carried from the pier,
You needna make no fuss about this here—
This trunk and boxes as is on my back:
I'm a deal stronger till my brother Jack,
And ever since I was a little maid,
I've carried burdens; it's my reg'lar trade,
So I think nothing of a load like this.
It's use, you see, Sir, wheer the difference is,
As makes one's work come easy. When I've done
This job o' yourn, I'll get another one,
And earn another shillin'. That's the fare;
Shillin' a mile, whatever weight you bear;
An' twopence each, for packages. You've four;
So that's just one and eightpence an' no more.

You see my badge? It's always to be seen,
On my left arm, Sir; it's as bright an' clean
As hands can make it; an' it's come to be
Same as my age: I'm Number Twenty-Three,
An' I shall soon be three an' twenty, Sir.
Well, this here badge is like a character
To them as wears it; for you understand
We've got to show our badge afore you land,
Or else they winna let us go aboard
To heave the baggage. Them as can't afford
To pay for badges, has to stop at home,
Or trust to such chance customers as come
Ashore without a porter. But it's dear;
This round o' brass costs half a crown a year!
That's maybe little, for a gentleman;
But poor folks has to do the best they can,
So every penny's wanted. This o' mine,
This badge, I've wore, an' kep it fresh an' fine,
More nor five year, an' never lost it yet;
But still, at Christmas, if I'm tired an' wet
After a load, an' wants my supper too,
An' some kind stranger, as it might be you,
Pays me my wage, an' puts a nice half-crown
Atop of it, for me to call my own
To keep or spend, I think it is a shame
As I mun take it back to whence I came,
An' pay it into th' office; just for leave
To wear this badge a twelvemonth on my sleeve!
Ah, Sir, there's trials in a porter's life;
An' I'm alone; I'm not a sailor's wife,
Like some is; an' my sweetheart is at sea:
How can I tell, if he'll come back to me,
Or get another somewheres else?

I live
Wi' grandmother; an' if you'd please to give
A trifle over, when I've done your turn,
She would be thankful. All as I can earn
I takes to Granny; an' she hoards it up,
An' spends it careful, over bite an' sup
For her an' me.

Well now, Sir, here's the place,
An' here you are! I've come a goodish pace,
An' if you'll let me, I should like to sit
Down o' your doorstep, just to rest a bit,
Until they take my load off.

Thank you, Sir—
O thank you! This'll be a treat to her,
My Granny, as have seldom seen a day
O' sich good luck! An' when you go away
An' wants a porter, please to send for me;
Send for young Margaret, Number Twenty-Three;
An' I'll be proud to serve you.

Well, and so
I mun be off; but, Sir, afore I go
Back to the town, to seek another job,
There's one more thing. For all you are a Nob,
An' me a workin' wench, you're not too grand,
At least I hope not, for to take my hand?
It's hard, but it's a woman's. Theer it is—
An' take a blessing with it, Sir, for this!