A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.
XLVII. Here the hangman stops his cart
The Carpenters SonH
Now the best of friends must part.
Fare you well, for ill fare I:
Live, lads, and I will die.
‘Prenticed to my father’s trade,
Had I stuck to plane and adze,
I had not been lost, my lads.
Gallows-trees for other chaps,
Never dangled on my own,
Had I but left ill alone.
And the people passing by
Stop to shake their fists and curse;
So ’tis come from ill to worse.
Two poor fellows hang for theft:
All the same ’s the luck we prove,
Though the midmost hangs for love.
Walk henceforth in other ways;
See my neck and save your own:
Comrades all, leave ill alone.
Shrewder fellows than your friend.
Fare you well, for ill fare I:
Live, lads, and I will die.’