Classic Poem

Often at night I've passed her in the street,
Poor stunted Ellen in her beaded cape
That once was velvet; rusty, draggled crape
Around the hat that crowned her grizzled head,
And broken widespread boots upon her feet;
But " that's the lovely night " ; was all she said,
Although the north wind brought the stinging rain.
If she was chilled and sad she made no sign,
For if you asked her of her health — " I'm fine,
Now glory be to God! I can't complain. "

They say her man is just a porter shark,
Who drinks the money if it comes his way.
You'll see him propping walls up every day,
Or with drink taken reeling home at night,
For many times I've passed him in the dark
And pitied her, poor woman, for her plight.
All day she must contend with work to earn
The scanty wage that goes to pay the rent
And feed the children, yet no discontent
Shadows the face her neighbours see return.

We thought she would lose heart when Josie left
And joined the army, leaving her for good,
Her eldest boy and best. But " now his food
Will never fail, he'll grow a man, " said she.
And waved farewell, though with a heart bereft
She went to work each morning steadfastly.
The younger lads were idle, for a strike
Had stopped the work they'd sought so long in vain.
" No matter, so, " said she, " they'll work again.
The Ganger sure can seldom get their like. "

When 'Stasia died, the youngest of them all,
She set her face and had no tears to shed.
" Maybe the child is lucky being dead, "
She muttered, and went out to seek the price
Of coffin, grave, and decent funeral.
She had to beg, her pride made sacrifice.
Sickness, it seemed, was ever at her door.
But she had never time to heed her health.
" Let them go sick, " she said, " that have the wealth,
Keeping their beds comes hard upon the poor. "

Long on that sea of sorrow did she toss
Like some forlorn and shabby little boat
Storm beaten, drenched with spray, yet still afloat
Until the day when Fortune for surprise
Gave gold for cargo where there had been dross
Ellen was dazzled by the radiant guise
Of Death who came to her while yet she slept,
She woke to new life with an angel's kiss
That bade her welcome to unending bliss
" 'Tis joy that breaks my heart, " she said — and wept.