Poem by Henry Lawson’s mother, Louisa Lawson, 1896

 

Don’t marry a man to reform him

To God and your own self be true,

Don’t link to his vices your virtue,

You’ll rue it dear girl, if you do

When Henry Lawson  married Bertha Maria Louise Bredt in 1896, he had a drinking problem and little money.  Everyone warned Bertha about his drinking but she said that their love would prevail.  Sadly, it didn't.