Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 2.djvu/210

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GRANDMOTHER.You must have heardYour mother, children! often tell of her.She used to weed in the garden here, and wormYour uncle's [1]dogs, and serve the house with coal;And glad enough she was in winter timeTo drive her asses here! it was cold workTo follow the slow beasts thro' sleet and snow,And here she found a comfortable mealAnd a brave fire to thaw her, for poor MollWas always welcome.HARRY.Oh—'twas blear-eyed MollThe collier woman,—a great ugly woman,I've heard of her.
  1. ↑ I know not whether this cruel and stupid custom is common in other parts of England. It is supposed to prevent the dogs from doing any mischief should they afterwards become mad.
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