Crying For Bread

"Please, lady! please pay my Ma for her sewing; The suit fits you splendidly--that you'll allow. Oh! don't say tomorrow! I see you are going; But this will not hinder long--please pay me now. Ma work'd all night for you! ev'ry minute; Now she lies groaning with pain in her head; And there by the pantry (with not a thing in it), Sits poor little Theodore crying for bread! Poor little Theodore crying for bread!" "On! driver, on! they have all gone before us, And I will not be late at the ball," Beauty said; And wintry winds echoed her answer in chorus With poor little Theodore crying for bread! Poor little Theodore crying for bread! "Please lady! please pay my Ma for her sewing; I'll run and get change for you. Don't call me bold-- But how could you dance tonight all the time knowing That we were left suffering, hungry and cold? Ma looks so wild! she keeps calling for Daisy; That was the name of my sister that's dead. Oh! what shall I do, with my Ma going crazy, And poor little Theodore cryiing for bread? Poor little Theodore crying for bread!" "Please lady! please pay my Ma for her sewing; She must have some medicine--that let me buy. Now, don't speak of beggars! 'tis money you're owing: Do please, pay me part of it--else we must die." On the wheels roll'd, and Fidele returned weeping; Ah! in her absence a spirit had fled, And morning light found her a weary watch keeping, With poor little Theodore crying for bread! Poor little Theodore crying for bread!"