The insolvent debtor
by George Cosbuc

Home walked she from the mill
Her sack was down and she
Could not lift it again.
“May I help?” “What?” “For pay!”
And in the narrow lane
Good girls shouldn’t wave away
Such offers and say “nay”.
That she agreed was plain.

With her sack on my back
I start, but half – way, feeling slack,
I want my pay – three kisses.
She stops – just like her, see?
Obstructs the way and thinks
And tells no end of things,
Too much, she can’t agree:
Out of the question – three!!!

On two she does agree,
So, she pays half the fee;
The rest is due to-night
(Our meeting she can’t miss),
Though she’ll forget, I judge!
So here I am, poor drudge,
To bear her sack and trudge –
All this for just one kiss!