23
DIED OF STARVATION.
They forced him into prison,
Because he begged for bread;
"My wife is starving—dying!"
In vain the poor man plead.[1]
Because he begged for bread;
"My wife is starving—dying!"
In vain the poor man plead.[1]
They forced him into prison,
Strong bars enclosed the walls,
While the rich and proud were feasting
Within their sumptuous halls.
Strong bars enclosed the walls,
While the rich and proud were feasting
Within their sumptuous halls.
He'd striven long with anguish,
Had wrestled with despair;
But his weary heart was breaking
'Neath its crushing load of care.
Had wrestled with despair;
But his weary heart was breaking
'Neath its crushing load of care.
And he prayed them in that prison,
"Oh, let me see my wife!"
For he knew that want was feeding
On the remnant of her life.
"Oh, let me see my wife!"
For he knew that want was feeding
On the remnant of her life.
That night his wife lay moaning
Upon her bed in pain;
Hunger gnawing at her vitals,
Fever scorching through her brain.
Upon her bed in pain;
Hunger gnawing at her vitals,
Fever scorching through her brain.
- ↑ See this case, as touchingly related, in "Oliver Twist, by Dickens.
