And near them they beheld a child, Upon a crag he stood, A little crag, and all around Was spread the rising flood. The boatman plied the oar, the boat The moon-beam shone upon the child, And show'd how pale his face. "Now reach thine hand!" the boatman cried, Then William shriek'd; the hand he touch'd Was cold and damp and dead! He felt young Edmund in his arms The boat sunk down, the murderer sunk He rose, he shriek'd, no human ear 1798. THE CROSS ROADS. A THE circumstance related in the following Ballad happened about the year 1760, in a village adjacent to BRISTOL. person who was present at the funeral told me the story and the particulars of the interment, as I have versified them. THERE was an old man breaking stones He sate him down beside a brook, And out his bread and cheese he took, For now it was mid-day. He leant his back against a post, And there were water-cresses growing, And pleasant was the water's flowing, For he was hot and dry. A soldier with his knapsack on Came travelling o'er the down; The sun was strong and he was tired; And he of the old man enquired "How far to Bristol town?" "Half an hour's walk for a young man, By lanes and fields and stiles; But you the foot-path do not know, Why then 'tis three good miles." The soldier took his knapsack off, For he was hot and dry; And out his bread and cheese he took, And he sat down beside the brook To dine in company. "Old friend! in faith," the soldier says, " I envy you almost ; My shoulders have been sorely prest, And I should like to sit and rest My back against that post. "In such a sweltering day as this A knapsack is the devil! And if on t'other side I sat, It would not only spoil our chat, But make me seem uncivil." The old man laugh'd and moved..." I wish It were a great-arm'd chair! But this may help a man at need :.. And yet it was a cursed deed That ever brought it there. |