TALE XIX.

THE CONVERT.

A tapster is a good trade, and an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a wither'd serving-man, a fresh tapster. - Merry Wives of Windsor.

A fellow, sir, that I have known go about with my troll-my-dames. Winter's Tale.

I myself, sometimes leaving the fear of Heaven

on the left hand, and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am forced to shuffle, to hedge, and to lurch. - Merry Wives of Windsor.

Yea, and at that very moment,

Consideration like an angel came,

And whipp'd th' offending Adam out of him. — Henry V.

I have lived long enough! my May of life

Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have. - Macbeth.

TALE XIX.

THE CONVERT. (1)

SOME to our Hero have a hero's name
Denied, because no father's he could claim;
Nor could his mother with precision state
A full fair claim to her certificate;

On her own word the marriage must depend—
A point she was not eager to defend :
But who, without a father's name, can raise
His own so high, deserves the greater praise:
The less advantage to the strife he brought,
The greater wonders has his prowess wrought;
He who depends upon his wind and limbs,
Needs neither cork or bladder when he swims;
Nor will by empty breath be puff'd along,
As not himself but in his helpers - strong.

Suffice it then, our Hero's name was clear, For, call John Dighton, and he answer'd "Here!"

(1) [This tale was suggested by some passages in that extraordinary work, "The Memoirs of the Forty-five first Years of the Life of James Lackington, Bookseller, written by Himself," London. 8vo. 1791.]