Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

bring against me, and bare assertions will not be believed. At worst, should his tale be credited, long ere Percy can wrest her from me shail Angela be mine. Hassan, to your vigilance I leave the care of my beloved. Fly to me that instant, should any unbidden footstep approach yonder chamber door. I'll to my couch again. Follow me, Saib, and watch me while I sleep. Then, if you see my limbs convulsed, my teeth clenched, my hair bristling, and cold dews trembling on my brow, seize me-rouse me-snatch me from my bed!-I must not sleep again-oh! how I dread thee, Sleep!-Friend of virtue, how I hate thy coming! [Exit, followed by Saib and Hassan.

NOBODY.

Sure Nobody's a wicked devil,
The author of consummate evil;
In breaking dishes, basons, glasses,
In stealing, hiding-he surpasses.
Behold the punch-bowl cracked around;
For weeks the ladle was not found;
How crack'd 'twas Nobody that did it;
How misplaced--Nobody hid it.

When in the school sits Dr. Pedant,

He calls to him that is the head in't,

"Who made that noise? who let his tongue stir ?"

"Nobody, sir," exclaims the youngster.

The governess some mischief spies out,
And in a passion thus she cries out,-

"Hey day! a pretty litter this is !

"Whose doing, pray? come, tell me, misses!

"Whose doing?" she repeats with fury ;-
"Nobody's, madam, I assure you."
The lady of the house believes
A guest her servant maid receives-
A thief, perhaps, who shams the lover,
The windows' fastenings to discover;

She hears a foot-yes, hears it plain,
And calls "Who's there?" but calls in vain ;
She lists-so anxious she to know,
And hears a stranger's voice below;
"Why, Jane, who is it you've got there?"
"Lord, madam-Nobody, I swear,
"As every body can declare."
"I'm sure somebody it must be."
""Tis Nobody, madam-come and see."
She goes, but all in vain she peeps,
For any where Nobody creeps.

She finds her gravy soup diminished;
Her ribs of beef are almost finished;
"Hey-day, who these provisions took ?"
Nobody, ma'am," rejoins the cook.
"Impossible! what do you mean?"
"Why then the cat it must have been."
Thus Nobody is never seen

In anybody's shape but that

Of a domestic dog or cat,

This Nobody-how strange-I think,
Can walk and talk, can eat and drink ;-
But male or female? why, I ween,
The gender must be Epicene;

An old offender it appears,

Who's lived above a thousand years;

For Polyphemus had his odd eye
Knock'd out by him--I mean Nobody.

HUMAN LIFE.

Man's uncertain life Is like a rain-drop hanging on the bough, Among ten thousand of its sparkling kindred,The remnants of some passing thunder-shower,Who have their moments, dropping one by one, And which shall soonest lose its perilous hold We cannot guess.

THE CAT-O'-NINE-TAILS;

OR, THE SCHOOL FOR POLITENESS.

Once on a time, as I've heard say,
(I neither know the year nor day)—
The rain distilled from many a cloud;
The night was dark, the wind blew loud ;-
A country squire, without a guide,

Where roads were bad, and heath was wide,
Attended by his servant Jerry,

Was travelling tow'rds the town of Bury.
The Squire had ne'er been bred in courts,
But yet was held, as fame reports,
Though he to wit made no pretence,
A squire of more than common sense.
Jerry, who courage could not boast,
Thought every sheep he saw a ghost;
And most devoutly prayed, he might
Escape the terrors of the night.

As they approach'd the common's side,
A peasant's cottage they espied;
There, riding up, our worthy Squire
Held it most prudent to enquire,
Being nothing less than wet to the skin,
Where he might find a welcome inn?
"No inns there are," replied the clown,
""Twixt this, and yonder market town,
"Seven miles north-west across the heath!
"And wind and rain are in your teeth!
"But if so be, sir, you will go
"To yon old hall upon the brow,
"You'll find free entertainment there,
"Down beds, and rare old English fare,
"Of beef and mutton, fowl and fish,
"As good as any man need wish;
"Warm stabling, too, and corn and hay-
"Yet not a penny have to pay!

""Tis true, sir, I have heard it said,"

And here he grinn'd, and scratch'd his head-"The gentleman that keeps the house,

"Though every freedom he allows,

"And is, o'er night, so woundy civil,
"You'd swear he never dreamt of evil,
"Orders, next morn, his servant John
"With cat-o'-nine-tails to lay on

"Full twenty strokes, most duly counted,
"On man and master ere they're mounted !"
"With cat-o'-nine-tails! Oh!" cried Jerry,
"That I was safe at Edmond's Bury!"

;

Our Squire spurr'd on as clown directed;
This offer might not be rejected:
Poor Jerry's prayers could not dissuade.
The Squire, more curious than afraid,
Arrives and rings. The footman runs ;
The master, with his wife and sons,
Descend the hall, and bid him enter
Give him dry clothes; and beg he'll venture
To take a glass of Cognac brandy;
And he, who hated words to bandy
In idle complimentary speeches,
The brandy took, and eke the breeches.
The liquor drank, the garments changed,
The family round the fire arranged,
The mistress begg'd to know if he
Chose coffee, chocolate, or tea?
The squire replied, sans hesitation,
Or teasing, trite expostulation—
"A dish of coffee, and a toast!"
The mistress smiled; th' enraptur'd host
Cried, "Sir, I like your frankness much!
"This house is your's, pray think it such
"While here you stay; 'tis my request;
"And you shall be a welcome guest:
"Sans ceremony I would live;
"And what I have I freely give."

Tea ended, once again our host
Demanded," Sir, of boiled, or roast;
"Fish, flesh, or fowl, do ou prefer
"For supper?" "Why indeed, good sir,

"Roast duck I love." "With good green peas?" "Yes, dearest madam, if you please.'

"Well said! now while it's getting ready, "We two, my eldest son, and lady, "Will take a hand at whist?" "Agreed!" And soon they cut for deal and lead.

But, now, to crimp my lengthen'd taleWhether the Squire drank wine or ale; Or how he slept, or what he said; Or how much gave to man or maid; Or what the while became of Jerry, 'Mong footmen blithe and maidens merry, Description here we can't admit For "Brevity's the soul of wit." Suffice to say-the morn arrived: Jerry, of senses half deprived, Horses from stable saw led out; Trembled, and skulked, and peered about; And felt already every thwack Of cat-o'-nine-tails on his back; Each word, each action was a blunder. But, oh! how great his joy and wonder, The stirrups held, the horses cross'd, When forth the hostess and the host, With smiles instead of lashes smarting, Came out to take a cup at parting; Bestowing a thousand welcomes on 'em, Unfeigned, for all the honours done 'em! Of thanks, what language could afford; Of cat-o'-nine tails not one word!

Mutual civilities repaid,

The Squire had turned his horse's head
To gallop off; yet, his desire

Grew every moment higher and higher,
While bidding thus his last adieu,
To ask if what he'd heard were true!
For not alone the clown had said
The reckoning must in stripes be paid;
But one o' the footmen-whom he, slily,
O'er night interrogated-drily

Confirm'd the aforesaid peasant's tale;
And said, his master would not fail

« ElőzőTovább »