Write by Return by Henry Lawson — While The Billy Boils

Clerk, corresponding,"Rooster and Comb",Here I sit idle"Thinking of home";I must be grafting--Living to earn,More correspondence,"Write by return."

Clerk in employ of"Shoddy and Woods",Thinks that we have notForwarded goods.Parcel we sent them--Missing, I learn,Says in his postscript:"Write by return."

Here is anotherLetter from Bland--"Cheque he expectedIsn't to hand."How we forgot itCannot discern,"Forward remittance,Write by return."

Here is another--O how they come?Treats of a "Bender"Planned by a chum.See on the margin,Big letters: "BurnAfter perusal--Write by return."

Mail in from England,Letters for me--Dear little sweetheartOver the sea."Quite broken-hearted,O how I yearnOnly to see you. . . .Write by return."

One who will "neverThink that I'm bad"Writes me a letterTearful and sad.Thinks that I'm starving,Filled with concern,Sends me some money--"Write by return."

Letter from father,Sent to his son,"All is forgiven--Fat calf for one."O that I everThought he was stern--Money for passage--Write by return.