Anti-Poor Law poster - the treatment of the old

Transcript

[Man with shaved head:]

Oh, Sir, have mercy on me, I cannot work so hard, for I’m old, ill and feeble, allow me but 10 minutes rest.

[Man brandishing a whip:]

Rest, indeed! you lazy old thief, d’ye think ye came in here to be a gentleman.  Old and young must labour here – what was the poor made for but to work? – go to the hemp you old rascal.