Part 1 — MOTHER WEPT
Reading edition
Mother wept, and father sighed; With delight aglow Cried the lad, "To-morrow," cried, "To the pit I go."
Up and down the place he sped,— Greeted old and young; Far and wide the tidings spread; Clapt his hands and sung.
Came his cronies; some to gaze Wrapped in wonder; some Free with counsel; some with praise: Some with envy dumb.
"May he," many a gossip cried, "Be from peril kept." Father hid his face and sighed, Mother turned and wept.
Joseph Skipsey [1832-1903]