Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 2.djvu/23

15 They bolted on me thus, and lo!

Each ready with a plaintive whine;

Said I, "Not half an hour ago

Your Mother has had alms of mine."

"That cannot be," one answer'd, "She is dead."

"Nay but I gave her pence, and she will buy you bread."

"She has been dead, Sir, many a day."

"Sweet Boys, you're telling me a lie;

"It was your Mother, as I say—"

And in the twinkling of an eye,

"Come, come!" cried one; and, without more ado,

Off to some other play they both together flew.