Then when he saw it could hold no more, "I'faith 'tis an excellent bonfire!" quoth he, "And the country is greatly obliged to me, For ridding it in these times forlorn Of Rats that only consume the corn." So then to his palace returned he, And he slept that night like an innocent man, In the morning as he enter'd the hall For the Rats had eaten it out of the frame. As he look'd there came a man from his farm, He had a countenance white with alarm. My Lord, I open'd your granaries this morn, And the Rats had eaten all your corn." Another came running presently, And he was pale as pale could be, "Fly! my Lord Bishop, fly," quoth he, "Ten thousand Rats are coming this way,... The Lord forgive you for yesterday!" "I'll go to my tower on the Rhine,” replied he, ""Tis the safest place in Germany, The walls are high and the shores are steep And the stream is strong and the water deep." Bishop Hatto fearfully hasten'd away, He laid him down and closed his eyes; .. He started and saw two eyes of flame On his pillow from whence the screaming came. He listen'd and look'd;...it was only the Cat; But the Bishop he grew more fearful for that, For she sat screaming, mad with fear At the Army of Rats that were drawing near. For they have swam over the river so deep, Down on his knees the Bishop fell, And faster and faster his beads did he tell, As louder and louder drawing near The saw of their teeth without he could hear. And in at the windows and in at the door, They have whetted their teeth against the stones, And now they pick the Bishop's bones, They knaw'd the flesh from every limb, For they were sent to do judgement on him! 1799. THE PIOUS PAINTER. The story of the Pious Painter is related in the Pia Hilaria of Gazæus, but the Catholic Poet has omitted the concluThis is to be found in the Fabliaux of Le Grand. sion. THE FIRST PART. THERE once was a painter in Catholic days, Like JOB who eschewed all evil. Still on his Madonnas the curious may gaze With applause and with pleasure, but chiefly his praise And delight was in painting the Devil. They were angels, compared to the Devils he drew, |