Mary Ellen

Read 'Mary Ellen' by 'Robert William Service' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Mary Ellen by Robert William Service

 It's mighty quiet in the house
 Since Mary Ellen quit me cold;
I've swept the hearth and fed the mouse
 That's getting fat and overbold.
I've bought a pig's foot for the pot
 And soon I'll set the fire alight;
Then I may eat or I may not,
 Depends upon my appetite.

Since Mary Ellen left me lone
 I haven't earned a bloody bob.
I sit and sigh, and mope and moan,
 And bellyache I quit my job.
My money's mostly gone,--I think
 I ought to save it up for food . . .
But no, I'll blow it in for drink,
 Then do a bunk for good.

I watch my mouse his whiskers preen;
 He watches me with wicked glee.
Today--oh God! It's years sixteen
 Since Mary Ellen wed with me.
Oh how the dear girl hated vermin!
 She left rat poison on the shelf . . .
Friend Mouse, your doom I new determine
 Then--how about myself?

Form: Ballad

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