Showed the place where a left ear had once been; another showed a brand

upon his shoulder — the letter V and a mutilated ear; the third said:

'I am Yokel, once a farmer and prosperous, with loving wife and kids — now

Am I somewhat different in estate and calling; and the wife and kids are gone;

Mayhap they are in heaven, mayhap in — in the other place — but the kindly

God be thanked, they bide no more in England! My good old blameless

Mother strove to earn bread by nursing the sick; one of these died, the doctors

Knew not how, so my mother was burned for a witch, whilst my babes looked

on and wailed. English law! — up, all with your cups! — now all together and

with a cheer! — drink to the merciful English law that delivered her from the

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English hell! Thank you, mates, one and all. I begged, from house to house —

I and the wife — bearing with us the hungry kids — but it was a crime to be

Hungry in England — so they stripped us and lashed us through three towns.

Drink ye all again to the merciful English law! — for its lash drank deep of

my Mary's blood and its blessed deliverance came quick. She lies there, in the

potter's field, safe from all harms. And the kids- well, whilst the law lashed me

From town to town, they starved. Drink lads — only a drop — a drop to the

Poor kids, that never did any creature harm. I begged again — begged for a