Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, And with a silk thread plucks it back again, ROM. I would I were thy bird. JUL. Sweet, so would I : Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing, Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, SHAKSPEARE. READING WITH SPECTACLES. A CERTAIN artist-I've forgot his name― Or "Helps to read," as, when they first were sold, There came a man into his shop one day:- And book produced, to see how they would fit; "These, sir, I fancy, if you please to try, These in my hand will better suit your eye." "No, but they don't." "Well, come, sir, if you please, Here is another sort; we'll e'en try these; Still somewhat more they magnify the letter. "Why, now I'm not a bit the better." The operator, much surprised to find So odd a case, thought, sure the man is blind : ANONYMOUS. THE APPLE-DUMPLINGS AND GEORGE III. ONCE in the chase, this monarch drooping, From his high consequence and wisdom stooping, Where an old crone was hanging on the pot. Like lightning asked, "What's here?-what's here?what?-what?-what?-what?' Then, taking up a dumpling in his hand, And oft did majesty the dumpling grapple; "'Tis monstrous, monstrous, monstrous hard," he cried; "What makes the thing so hard?" The dame replied, Low courtesying, "Please your majesty, the apple." "Very astonishing, indeed! strange thing!" (Turning the dumpling round) rejoined the king; ""Tis most extraordinary now, all this isIt beats the conjurer's capers all to pieces Strange I should never of a dumpling dream. But, Goody, tell me, where, where, where's the seam?" Sire, there's no seam," quoth she. "I never knew That folks did apple-dumplings sew!" "No!" cried the staring monarch, with a grin, "Then where, where, where, pray, got the apple in ?" THE END. WOLCOT. |