THE CARPENTER'S SON

“Here the hangman stops his cart:

Now the best of friends must part.

Fare you well, for ill fare I:

Live, lads, and I will die.”

“Oh, at home had I but stayed

‘ Prenticed to my father's trade,

Had I stuck to plane and adze,

I had not been lost, my lads.”

“Then I might have built perhaps

Gallows-trees for other chaps,

Never dangled on my own,

Had I but left ill alone.”

“Now, you see, they hang me high,

And the people passing by

Stop to shake their fists and curse;

So‘ tis come from ill to worse.”

“Here hang I, and right and left

Two poor fellows hang for theft:

All the same's the luck we prove,

Though the midmost hangs for love.”

“Comrades all, that stand and gaze,

Walk henceforth in other ways;

See my neck and save your own:

Comrades all, leave ill alone.”

“Make some day a decent end,

Shrewder fellows than your friend.

Fare you well, for ill fare I:

Live, lads, and I will die.”