20 20 THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. Since fortune all hope of escaping denies Better give them a little than loose the whole prize.' But scarce had he spoke when we came to a place Whose muddy condition concluded the chace, Down settled the cart, and old Ranger stuck fast Aha! (said the saint) have I catch'd ye at last?' Cætera desunt. THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. A THOUSAND Frogs upon a summer's day, They show'd their gold-lac'd clothes, with pride; And gambol'd through the water, with a grace. Thoughtless resolv'd to spoil their happy sport; The consequence was dreadful, let me tell ye; Among the smitten, it was found, Their beauteous queen receiv'd a wound; And drew a tear from ev'ry eye; At length King CROAK got up, and thus begun→→ My lads, you think this very pretty FUN! THE BAT AND THE WEASELS. . 'Your pebbles round us fly as thick as hops,-Have warmly complimented all our chops ; To you, I guess, that these are pleasant stones! And so they might be to us Frogs, 21 You damn'd young good-for-nothing dogs, 'But that they are so hard--they break our bones.' THE BAT AND THE WEASELS. A FABLE. Or weasels some eat birds. Again A smart young bat for wenching sake, Popt by mistake into his nest. Who's there?' cries small guts: wife! my dear! rogue, some thief's got in I fear. • Some Who's there? I say-O, sir! is 't you? This visit you'll be apt to rue. • Ar' n't you a mouse? speak: are you not? Speak, sirrah, or you go to pot. 6 You know, you dog, I hate you all ;- Some trifle fluster'd, quoth th' intriguer, A mouse, too! very high egad! Pray have mice wings? look: wings like these sir? Answer me only, if you please, sir: •22 EPITAPH ON AN OLD HORSE. 6 I. heav'n be thank'd! am of the feather, The matter settled, off goes bat: Hallo! here! murder! help,' cries he; Thus crafty folks will act; whene'er They're press'd, they change, and think 'tis fair: They're this thing here, and t 'other there. EPITAPH ON AN OLD HORSE. (DR. LADD.) LET no facetious mortal laugh, Lest some old steed, with saucy phiz, } A KING AND A BRICK-MAKER. As well he might; for prove we can, This horse was of supreme degree, Then let those fools who vainly laugh, Go, , grope among the human dust, And find an epitaph more just. A KING AND A BRICK-MAKER. (PINDAR.) 25 A KING, near Pimlico, with nose and state, 24 A KING AND A BRICK MAKER. His sacred Majesty would sputt'ring say, 'I'll make the rascal and his brick-kiln hop; Go tell the rascal, who the brick-kiln owns, 'Black all my house like hell, and make me sick, 'I'll tear his kiln to rags, and break his bones.' Off set the page, and soon his errand told: On which the brick-maker-a little bold, Exclaim'd, He break my bones, good master page! He say, my kiln sha'nt burn another brick, 'Because it blacks his house, and makes him sick! "Go--give my compliments to master's rage, 'And say more bricks I am resolv'd to burn; 'And-(if the smoke bis worship's stomach turn) To stop his royal mouth and snout: Nay, more, good PAGE; His Majesty shall find, 'I'll always take th' advantage of the wind, And, dam'me, try to smoke him out." This was a dreadful message to the King, The fellow's rhet'ric could not be withstood. The smoke in pitchy volumes roll'd along, Rush'd thro' the royal dome with sulphur strong, And then, ascending, darken'd all the sky. |