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In form and feature, face and limb, I grew so like my brother, That folks got taking me for him And each for one another. It puzzled all our kith and kin, It reached an awful pitch; For one of us was born a twin, Yet not a soul knew which. One day (to make the matter worse), Before our names were fixed, As we were being washed by nurse We got completely mixed; And thus, you see, by Fate's decree, (Or rather nurse's whim), My brother John got christened me, And I got christened him. |
This fatal likeness even dogged My footsteps when at school, And I was always getting flogged, For John turned out a fool. I put this question hopelessly To everyone I knew -- What would you do, if you were me, To prove that you were you? Our close resemblance turned the tide Of my domestic life; For somehow my intended bride Became my brother's wife. In short, year after year the same Absurd mistakes went on: And when I died -- the neighbors came And buried brother John! |