Yet pushed too far, it dulls each finer feeling- To over-reaching, perjury, and stealing. Even when the heart should only think of grief, And swallows up th' affections all so mild- THE JEWESS AND HER SON. Poor Mistress Levi had a luckless son, Who, rushing to obtain the foremost seat, Dead in a minute as a nit: In short, he broke his pretty Hebrew neck; The mother was distracted, raving, wild- Soon as the shower of tears was somewhat past, She cast about her eyes in thought profound⚫ "Sher, I'm de moder of de poor Chew lad, Sher, I muss haf de shilling back, you know, But as for Avarice, 'tis the very devil; The cancer of the heart-the worst of ills: Like aconite, where'er it spreads, it kills. In every soil behold the poison spring! The mighty Marlborough pilfered cloth and bread; That what the Twitnam bard avowed, THE COUNTRY LASSES. PETER PINDAR. Peter lasheth the Ladies.-He turneth Story-teller.-Peter grieveth. ALTHOUGH the ladies with such beauty blaze, I heard some damsels fashionably loud; "Oh! the dear man!" cried one, "look! here's a bonnet! He shall paint me—I am determin'd on it— Lord! cousin, see! how beautiful the gown! What charming colors! here's fine lace, here's gauze ! What pretty sprigs the fellow draws! Lord, cousin! he's the cleverest man in town!" "Ay, cousin," cried a second, "very true- Cousin, this limner quickly will be seen, Such was the very pretty conversation Close by them hung Sir Joshua's matchless pieces. Works! that a Titian's hand could form aloneWorks! that a Reubens had been proud to own. Permit me, ladies, now to lay before ye A STORY. Walking one afternoon along the Strand, "Heav'ns! my dear beauteous angels, how d'ye do? Upon my soul I'm monstrous glad to see ye." "Swinge! Peter, we are glad to meet with you; We're just to London come—well, pray how be ye; "We're just a going, while 'tis light, To see St. Paul's before 'tis dark. Lord! come, for once, be so polite, And condescend to be our spark." "With all my heart, my angels.”—On we walk'd, How much that glorious structure would surprise, As near to Ludgate-Hill we drew, Gave, all at once, a diabolic squawl, As if they had been tumbled on the stones, And some confounded cart had crush'd their bones. After well fright'ning people with their cries, And sticking to a ribbon-shop their eyes, They all rush'd in, with sounds enough to stun, "Swinge! here are colors then, to please! We never should have been forgiv'n. "Here, here, are clever things-good Lord! Here, here!-look! here are beauties to delight: Along from Launceston to Penzance, Before that one might meet with such a sight!" "Come, ladies, 't will be dark," cried I-"I fear: "Lord! Peter," cried the girls, "don't mind St. Paul! Why-we can see the church another day; Reader, If e'er thy bosom felt a thought sublime, THE PILGRIMS AND THE PEAS. PETER PINDAR. Peter continueth to give great Advice, and to exhibit deep reflection-He telleth a miraculous Story. THERE is a knack in doing many a thing, A fool on something great, at times, may stumble, On which, forever, your wise men may fumble, Yes! I advise you, for there's wisdom in 't, Never to be superior to a hint The genius of each man, with keenness view— A spark from this, or t'other, caught, May kindle, quick as thought, A glorious bonfire up in you. A question of you let me beg Of fam'd Columbus and his egg, Pray, have you heard? "Yes."-O, then, if you please I'll give you the two Pilgrims and the Peas. THE PILGRIMS AND THE PEAS. A TRUE STORY. A brace of sinners, for no good, Were order'd to the Virgin Mary's shrine, Fifty long miles had those sad rogues to travel, The priest had order'd peas into their shoes: A nostrum famous in old Popish times For purifying souls that stunk of crimes: Which Popish parsons for its powers exalt, The knaves set off on the same day, But very diff'rent was their speed, I wot: The other limp'd, as if he had been shot. One saw the Virgin soon-peccavi cried— Made fit, with saints above, to live forever. |