Page:Poems Merrill.djvu/117

And alas for the basket she cherished—
 He had planned but too wisely, and well,—
The jug for an instant went whizzing—
 Then, broken to atoms, it fell.

But she had him fast by the collar—
 She shook him, then flung him down flat;
His legs broad-cast on the pavement
 Were thrown, and down on them she sat!
He writhed like a fish out of water—
 But in vain, for she held him down tight,—
"Ah, me honey, I have the advantage
 An' I 'm thinkin' ye'll stay here tonight!

What ye doin', ye black-hearted black-guard
 That ye can't let an ould leddy alone?
Are ye meddlin' wid business of others
 Because ye have none of yer own?
Ye have broken me jug—an' molasses
 Is spattered all over me dress—
But, begorra! 'fore wid ye I 'm done
 Ye'll be lookin' like me I guess!'

She arose—and both his feet seizing
 Walked on, while he struggled and yelled;
But the more he struggled and shouted—
 So much the more firmly she held!