THE PARRICIDE; OR, BLAZING RUINS. 'Twas night! the sky was dark-the tempest lower'dShrill scream'd the bat, ill-omen'd bird of night; The lightnings glared, the rain in torrents poured Nature seem'd wild with grandeur and affright. Returning homeward, fraught with thoughts of bliss, I deem'd it nought the tempest's rage to bear; My boy would climb my knees to steal a kissHis mother, too, the envied gift would share. But, God! conceive the scene that met my sightMy house wrapt in one universal flame; I heard my wife-my child-in dread affright, Shrieking a husband's and a father's name. Swift as the lightning which played round my head, I rush'd on unattended, and alone; The flames in rapid conflagration spread, And, veil'd by smoke, in dreadful dimness shone. With dreadful crash the flaring ruins fell, My wife, my child! I shriek'd—but call'd in vain; Now burst the tempest-loud the thunders roll; But I'd a fiercer tempest in my soul, One that will rage till life itself be past. Alone I left this dreary scene of woe My wife, my child, still present to my mind; I heard a step approaching soft and slow, Approach'd, and kneel'd, and begg'a me to forgive; Frantic with rage, I cried-" Wretch ! thou shalt feel "My pardon take, we meet again above, Stricken with fear, and tortured by remorse, Far from my native land I took my way, Yet still the bloody dagger haunts my mind; Still do the shrieks of torture rend my soul; In awful peals still do the thunders roll- Oh, God! the thought on't sure will drive me wild! THE HAUNCH OF VENISON. At Number One dwelt Captain Drew, (The street we'll not now mention): Tom Blewit knew them both-than he Benson to dine invited Tom: A host who "spread" so nicely, Tom answer'd, ere the ink was dry, "Extremely happy-come on Friday next, at six precisely." Blewit, with expectation fraught, But, ere he reach'd the winning post,, "Hey! zounds! what's this? a haunch at Drew's! "I must drop in; I can't refuse : "To pass were downright treason: "To cut Ñed Benson's not quite staunch; "But the provocative-a haunch! "Zounds! it's the first this season! "Ven'son, thou'rt mine! I'll talk no more,- "Do tell your master that my aunt "Is paralytic, quite aslant, "I must be off for Surrey." Now Tom at next door makes a din- "Is Captain Drew at home?"--" Walk in."_ "Drew, how d'ye do ?"_" What! Blewit!" "Yes, I-you've ask'd me, many a day, "To drop in, in a quiet way, "So now I'm come to do it." "I'm very glad you have," said Drew, "I've nothing but an Irish stew." Quoth Tom, aside," No matter, ""Twont do my stomach's up to that""Twill lie by, till the lucid fat "Comes quiv'ring in the platter." "You see your dinner, Tom," Drew cried. No, but I don't though," Tom replied: 66 "I smoked below""What?"" Ven'son"A haunch."-" Oh! true-it is not mine; "My neighbour had some friends to dine-" 66 "Your neighbour ! who?"-" George Benson. "His chimney smoked; the scene to change, "The ven'son you observed below "Why, Tom, that look of doubtful dread? "But dine, for once, off Irish stew, THE OYSTER. Two comrades, as grave authors say, Both view'd at once with greedy eyes, Green bags and parchments Hy about, "Give me the oyster then-'tis well."He opens it, and at one sup Gulps the contested trifle up, And, smiling, gives to each a shell. "Henceforth let foolish discord cease, "Your oyster's good as e'er was eat; "I thank you for my dainty treat; "God bless you both! go leave in peace!" Ye men of Norfolk and of Wales, From this learn common sense; Nor thrust your neighbours into jails For every slight offence. Banish those vermin of debate,, That on your substance feed; The knaves, who now are served in plate, Would starve, if fools agreed. |