For nc h. farmers come, jog, jog, To make their payments good. In sooth, the sorrow of such days Is not to be express'd, When he that takes, and he that pays, Are both alike distress'd. Now all unwelcome at his gates The clumsy swains alight, And well he may, for well he knows So in they come each makes his leg. And flings his head before, And looks as if he came to beg, And not to quit a score. "And how does miss and madam do, "The little boy, and all!" "All tight and well. And how do you "Good Mr. What-d'ye call?" The dinner comes, and down they sit: Were e'er such hungry folk? There's little talking, and no wit; One wipes his nose upon his sleeve, Yet not to give offence or grieve, The punch goes round, and they are dull And lumpish still as ever; Like barrels with their bellies full, They only weigh the heavier. At length the busy time begins, "Come, neighbours, we must wag-" The money chinks, down drop their chins, Each lugging out his bag. One talks of mildew and of frost, Quoth one, "A rarer man than you "In pulpit none shall hear; "But yet, methinks, to tell you true, O why are farmers made so coarse, A kick that scarce would move a horse, Then let the boobies stay at home; 'Twould cost him, I dare say, Less trouble taking twice the sum, Without the clowns that pay. VERSES Supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary abode on the island of Juan Fernandez. 1. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute: From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place. II. I am out of humanity's reach, III. Society, friendship, and love, IV. Religion! what treasure untold V. Ye winds that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends, do they now and then send A wish or a thought after me? O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see. |