So down we sat and bous'd again When, just when the gentle west-wind came, "Up, up, on the tree," quoth the beggar man And, lo! from the forest's far-off skirts, A hundred hounds pursuing at once, Till he sunk adown at the gallows' foot His haunches they tore, without a horn I turn'd, and look'd at the beggar man, And with curses sore he chid at the hounds, Till the last dropt out of sight, Anon, saith he, "let's down again, And ramble for our delight, For the world's all free, and we may choose A right cozie barn for to-night!" With that, he set up his staff on end, And it fell with the point due West; So we far'd that way to a city great, For the porters all were stiff and cold, And when he came where their masters lay, Were as free as workhouse sheds. But the beggar man made a mumping face, It made me curse to hear how he whin'd And I bade him walk the world by himself, For I scorn'd so humble a mate! So he turn'd right and I turn'd left, As if we had never met; And I chose a fair stone house for myself, For the city was all to let; And for three brave holidays drank my fill Of the choicest that I could get. And because my jerkin was coarse and worn, I got me a properer vest; It was purple velvet, stitch'd o'er with gold, And a shining star at the breast,— 'Twas enough to fetch old Joan from her grave To see me so purely drest!— But Joan was dead and under the mould, In vain I watch'd at the window pane, But sheep and kine wander'd up the street, When lo! I spied the old beggar man, His rags were lapp'd in a scarlet cloak, Heaven mend us all!—but, within my mind, I had kill'd him then and there; To see him lording so braggart-like That was born to his beggar's fare, His betters were meant to wear. But God forbid that a thief should die So I nimbly whipt my tackle out, I was judge myself, and jury, and all, But the beggar man would not plead, but cried Like a babe without its corals, For he knew how hard it is apt to go Oh, how gaily I doff'd my costly gear, I was tired of such a long Sunday life,- But the beggar man grumbled a weary deal, And made many crooked mouths. So I haul'd him off to the gallows' foot, 'Twas a weary job to heave him up, For a doom'd man always lags; But by ten of the clock he was off his legs In the wind and airing his rags! So there he hung and there I stood, To have my own will of all the earth: Quoth I, now I shall thrive! But when was ever honey made With one bee in a hive! My conscience began to gnaw my heart, Before the day was done, For the other men's lives had all gone out, Like candles in the sun! But it seem'd as if I had broke, at last, A thousand necks in one! So I went and cut his body down, To bury it decentlie ;— God send there were any good soul alive To do the like by me! But the wild dogs came with terrible speed, And bay'd me up the tree! My sight was like a drunkard's sight, To see their jaws all white with foam, Their jaws were bloody and grim, good Lord! But the beggar man, where was he?— There was nought of him but some ribbons of rags Below the gallows' tree!— I know the Devil, when I am dead, Will send his hounds for me!— I've buried my babies one by one, |