The Dusky Crew

heads were rough and our hands were black
 * With the ink-stain's midnight hue;

We scouted all, both great and small&mdash;
 * We were a dusky crew;

And each boy's hand was against us raised&mdash;
 * 'Gainst me and the Other Two.

We chased the hare from her secret lair,
 * We roamed the woodlands through;

In parks and grounds far out of bounds
 * Wandered our dusky crew;

And the keepers swore to see us pass&mdash;
 * Me and the Other Two.

And one there was who was light of limb,
 * Nimble and wary too.

A spirit grim we made of him
 * Unto our dusky crew:

He fetched and carries for all us three&mdash;
 * For me and the Other Two.

Our secret caves in the cold, dark earth
 * The luscious lettuce grew;

We ate the cress in merriness&mdash;
 * We were a dusky crew;

The radish red gave sweet repast
 * To me and the Other Two.

Our lettuces are dead and gone,
 * Our plans are fallen through;

We wander free in misery&mdash;
 * We are a wretched crew:

For a master's wrath has fallen on us&mdash;
 * On me and the Other Two.

He found our cave in the cold, dark earth,
 * He crept the branches through;

He caught us all in our Council-Hall&mdash;
 * Caught us, a dusky crew;

To punishment he led us all&mdash;
 * Me and the Other Two.

Our lettuces are dead and gone,
 * Our plans have fallen through;

We wander free in misery&mdash;
 * We are a wretched crew.

Will happiness no more return
 * To me and the Other Two?