He told a homely tale 1
And spotted it with tears－
Upon his infant face was set
The Cicatrice of years－
All crumpled was the cheek 5
No other kiss had known
Than flake of snow, divided with
The Redbreast of the Barn－
If Mother－in the Grave－9
Or Father－on the Sea－
Or Father in the Firmament－
Or Brethren, had he－
If Commonwealth below, 13
Or Commonwealth above
Have missed a Barefoot Citizen－
I've ransomed it－alive－
And spotted it with tears－
Upon his infant face was set
The Cicatrice of years－
All crumpled was the cheek 5
No other kiss had known
Than flake of snow, divided with
The Redbreast of the Barn－
If Mother－in the Grave－9
Or Father－on the Sea－
Or Father in the Firmament－
Or Brethren, had he－
If Commonwealth below, 13
Or Commonwealth above
Have missed a Barefoot Citizen－
I've ransomed it－alive－
(F.486/J.763)
[1–4] He, Cicatrice:: Oliver Twist was an orphen and "farmed" under the poor-laws.
[9] Mother:: his mother Agnes died when given birth Oliver.
[11] Father:: Oliver's father died in Rome.
[12] Bretheren:: Oliver's paternal half-brother Edward Leeford.
[16] I:: Mr. Brownlow.