I have eaten your bread and salt. br I have drunk your water and wine. br In deaths ye died I have watched beside, br And the lives ye led were mine. br br Was there aught that I did not share br In vigil or toil or ease, -- br One joy or woe that I did not know, br Dear hearts across the seas? br br I have written the tale of our life br For a sheltered people's mirth, br In jesting guise -- but ye are wise, br And ye know what the jest is worth.