The old woman, too, Was obliged to go through, With her boys, the rough discipline used by the crew, Who, before they let one of the set see the back of them, “Cobb'd” the whole party,—ay, “every man Jack of them.” MORAL. And now, Gentle Reader, before that I say Farewell for the present, and wish you good-day, If ever you travel, like Anthony Blogg, Be wary of strangers!—don't take too much grog!- Lastly, don't act like Blogg, who, I say it with blushing, L'Envoye. I felt so disgusted with Blogg, from sheer shame of him, -Mind, it's no wish of mine, Is,-(a penny will do 't)-by addressing a line DAME FREDEGONDE. WILLIAM AYTOUN. WHEN folks with headstrong passion blind, 'Tis not advice they want, in fact, A dame more buxom, blithe and free, Than Fredegonde you scarce would see. So smart her dress, so trim her shape, Ne'er hostess offer'd juice of grape, Could for her trade wish better sign; Her looks gave flavor to her wine, And each guest feels it, as he sips, Smack of the ruby of her lips.. A smile for all, a welcome glad,— A jovial coaxing way she had; And,-what was more her fate than blame,A nine months' widow was our dame. But toil was hard, for trade was good, And gallants sometimes will be rude. "And what can a lone woman do? The nights are long and eerie too. Now, Guillot there's a likely man. None better draws or taps a can; He's just the man, I think, to suit, If I could bring my courage to 't." With thoughts like these her mind is cross'd: The dame, they say, who doubts, is lost. Prankt in her best, with looks demure, I'm worried off my legs with care, And need some help to keep things square. I've thought of Guillot, truth to tell! He's steady, knows his business well. What do you think?" When thus he met her: Oh, take him, dear, you can't do better!" "But then the danger, my good pastor, If of the man I make the master. There is no trusting to these men." “Well, well, my dear, don't have him then!" "But help I must have, there's the curse. I may go further and fare worse." Why, take him then!” "But if he should Turn out a thankless ne'er-do-good,— In drink and riot waste my all, And rout me out of house and hall ?” The bells rung out a triple bob: She seeks the priest, her ire to wreak, Just go, and mark well what they say. Off trudged the dame upon her way, And sure enough the chime went so, "Don't have that knave, that knave Guillot !" "Too true," she cried, "there's not a doubt: What could my ears have been about!" She had forgot, that, as fools think, The bell is ever sure to clink. THE KING OF BRENTFORD'S TESTAMENT. W. MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. THE noble king of Brentford They crammed their gracious master They drenched him and they bled him: "Go fetch," says he, "my lawyer; I'd better make my will." The monarch's royal mandate The thought of six-and-eightpence Did make his heart full gay. "The doctors have belabored me Sit down and mend a pen or two, "O'er all the land of Brentford I've three per cents and five per cents; My debts are but a few; And to inherit after me I have but children two. "Prince Thomas is my eldest son, A sober prince is he; And from the day we breeched him, Till now he's twenty-three, He never caused disquiet To his poor mamma or me. “At school they never flogged him; "He never owed a shilling, Went never drunk to bed, He has not two ideas Within his honest head; In all respects he differs From my second son, Prince Nęd. "When Tom has half his income "While Tom his legal studies "Ned drives about in buggies, Tom sometimes takes a 'bus; Ah, cruel fate, why made you My children differ thus? Why make of Tom a dullard, And Ned a genius ?” |