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THE INDIAN CONVERT.

Though others often gaze in vain,
Not one of all the starry train
Could ever puzzle his strong brain.

The ram, the twins, the shining goat,
And Argo in the skies afloat,

To him are things of little note:

And that which now adorns the bear,
(I heard him say) the sailor's star,
Will be, in time, the lord knows where;
Will shine, he says, in southern skies,
And be observed by other eyes,
Which now to see him he defies.

Thus nature waiting at his call,
His book, in vogue with great and small,
Is sought, admired, and read by all.
How happy thus on earth to stay,
The planets keeping him in pay-
And when 'tis time to post away,
Old Saturn will a bait prepare,
And hook him up from toil and care
To make new calculations there.

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THE INDIAN CONVERT.

(AMERICAN MUSEUM.)

WHEN our fathers were driven by British oppression,

Of their dear native country to quit the possession,
And fled to this land to enjoy their opinions,
They were welcom'd by Indians to Indian domin-

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MONSIEUR KANIFERSTANE.

Now zealous to propagate christian religion
In such an idolatrous, ignorant region,

They courted the natives with generous liquor,
Expecting that they'd become christians the quicker.
In a neighbouring wigwam resided two brothers,
The heathen was one's faith, but christian the others,
To the English his visits were frequent and pleasant
They gave him good liquor and many a present.
The heathen begrudg'd the good luck of his brother,
And resolv'd to share with him some way or other,
'How is it,' quoth he, the white folks are so
friendly,

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To make you such presents, and treat you so kindly?'

He answer'd, I gave them a piece out of scripture,
And now and then quote them a piece of a chapter;
This pleases them well, and good cider they give,
'If you do the same the same you 'll receive.'

Quoth he to himself, So I will if I'm able,'
Then getting some names by rote from the bible,
He went and sat himself down on the floor,
And said 'Adam, Eve, Cain, the Devil, Job, Koar.'
He was ask'd, with surprise, what he meant by
all this?

Quoth he⚫ I mean cider, why could not you guess??

MONSIEUR KANIFERSTANE.

ONCE on a time, a little French Marquis,
For travel felt a mighty inclination:
To shew himself, and foreign parts to see,
He undertook a bold peregrination.

At Dieppe, he found a sloop just under weigh,
By Dutchmen mann'd, and bound for Amsterdam.

MONSIEUR KANIFERSTANE.

Wind and tide serving, off he sail'd away,
And, soon sea-sick beyond finesse or sham,
Close in the cabin he preferr'd to nestle,

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There, faint and languid, for a space he doz’d; Till, from the increas'd commotion in the vessel, That land might be in sight he well suppos'd; So to the deck he climb'd with empty maw, And, sure enough, Dutch terra-firma saw. While in the cabin sick and sad he lay,

Tho' a true Frenchman be ne'er dreamt of talking; But, when on deck his spirits grew more gay, And his blood 'gan to circulate with walking, He recollected that he had a tongue.

Now, tho' a Frenchman, French with ease can jabber,

And doubtless thinks all other ears are hung
Like those he left at home, yet a Dutch swabber
Is apt enough no other speech to know

Than that which first he learn'd from Mother
Frow.

Such was the case of all this trunk-hos'd crew. The marquis struck with wonder and delight, Enraptur'd gaz'd on objects all so new;

At length a sumptuous palace caught his sight, Which, proudly rising from the water's side,

Shew'd its new-painted front with flow'rets gay, While trim responsive gardens spreading wide, Display'd Dutch taste in regular array. Anxious to know who own'd the pleasing scene, The marquis bowing, with a grinning face, Demanded of a tar. in French I ween,

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To whom belong'd that most enchanting place?? The tar, who knew as much of French as Greek, Ey'd him at first with something like disdain; Then as he shifted round his quid to speak, With growling voice, cry'd 'Ik kan niet verstaan.*

• This means, "I do not understand you."

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MONSIEUR KANIFERSTANE.

Oh! oh' reply'd the marquis, 'does it so?
To Monsieur Kaniferstane, lucky man!
The palace to be sure, lies rather low;

But, then, the size and grandeur of the plan!
I never saw a chateau on the Seine,
Equal to this of Monsieur Kaniferstane.'

While he thus spoke, the sailors anchor cast,
As the marquis descended on the quay,
He saw a charming frow that chanc'd to pass,
In liveliest bloom of youth and beauty gay,
Bedeck'd with all the Amsterdam parade

Of gold and silver, pearls and jewels rare;
On the marquis she much impression made;
His tender breast soon own'd a pleasing flame;
Stopping a passenger, he, bowing said,

Mousieur pray tell me who's that lovely dame?" The civil Dutchman bow'd to him again, And gently answer'd 'Ik kan niet verstaan.' What Monsieur Kaniferstane's wife!' the marquis cry'd,

He who has got yon gay and sumptuous house? Well! that some men have luck can 't be deny'd; What! such an edifice, and such a spouse! Ma foi! I think I never should complain, Had I the lot of Monsieur Kaniferstane.'

As on the morrow, through the streets he pass'd, Gazing on the pretty sights about,

On a large open hall his sight he cast,

Where bustling crowds were going in and out. Joining the throng, he entrance soon obtain'd, And found the people much engaged to see The numbers which the blanks and prizes gain'd In their high mightinesses' lottery.

Some laugh'd, some wept, some groan'd and some exclaim'd.

In all the spirit of true castle-builders,

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THE TOPER AND THE FLIES.

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When, on a sudden, a loud voice proclaim'd
The sov'reign prize of twenty thousand guilders!
And who,' the marquis cry'd, to one close by,
"Who has the luck this mighty prize to gain?
The man survey'd him with a doubtful eye,
And slowly answer'd, 'Ik kan niet ver staan.'
What! Monsieur Kaniferstane got the prize!
The marquis cry'd, he 's lucky on my life;
He who has got a house of such a size,

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And such a garden, too, and such a wife!
Diable! you may very well be vain,

With all these treasures, Monsieur Kaniferstane!
A week or two elaps'd when, as he stray'd,
On novelty intent, he chanc'd to meet,
Adorn'd with solemn pomp and grave parade,
A sumptuous burial coming up the street:
'Monsieur,' said he, as bowing to a baker,
Who left his shop the pageantry to see,
And just had nodded to the undertaker,

Pray, Monsieur, whose grand burial may this be?' The baker, as he turn'd to shop again,

Reply'd most gravely, 'Ik kan niet verstaan."

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'Mon Dieu!' exclaim'd the marquis, what pity! Monsieur Kaniferstane! with surprise!

He had the noblest palace in this city!

And such a wife! and such a glorious prize!
Alack! alack! good fortune smiles in vain ;
So rest in peace, good Monsieur Kaniferstane !'

THE TOPER AND THE FLIES.

(PINDAR.)

A GROUP of topers at a table sat,

With punch, that much regales the thirsty soul: Flies soon the party join'd, and join'd the chat, Humming and pitching, round the mantling bowl.

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