Here lies a Costermonger,
Tall was she,
Just the very size you'd wish a
Christmas tree to be.
All life long she stood a-hawking
Small delights,
Merry scornings, gay good-mornings,
Kind good-nights.
Bright balloons of mirth she'd cry you,
Apples of jest,
Laces—but you found them heartstrings—
Of the best,
Quips and kisses, April laughter,
Had you a mind
There were posies—all she sold you
Paid for in kind.
Scraps of fun and fluffs of fancy,
Trayfuls of toys
For stock-in-trade: for customers
Grown-up girls and boys.
Here lies a Costermonger,
Dark the world to me
As when they've put the candles out
On a Christmas tree.
