Page:Lyrical ballads, Volume 1, Wordsworth, 1800.djvu/168

116 And Betty, now at Susan's side,

Is in the middle of her story,

What comfort Johnny soon will bring,

With many a most diverting thing,

Of Johnny's wit and Johnny's glory.

And Betty's still at Susan's side:

By this time she's not quite so flurried;

Demure with porringer and plate

She sits, as if in Susan's fate

Her life and soul were buried.

But Betty, poor good woman! she,

You plainly in her face may read it,

Could lend out of that moment's store

Five years of happiness or more,

To any that might need it.