When I see him at my fish-market,

I warrant him, by and by."

49.

As he went along the Strand,

Between three in the morning and four, He observed a queer-looking person, Who staggered from Perry's door;

50.

And he thought that all the world over
In vain for a man you might seek
Who could drink more like a Trojan,
Or talk more like a Greek.

51.

The Devil then he prophesied

It would one day be matter of talk,
That with wine when smitten,

And with wit moreover being happily bitten,
This erudite bibber was he who had written
The story of this Walk.

52.

"A pretty mistake!" quoth the Devil, — "A pretty mistake, I opine!

I have put many ill thoughts in his mouth;

He will never put good ones in mine.

53.

"And whoever shall say that to Porson
These best of all verses belong,
He is an untruth-telling whoreson,

And so shall be called in the song.

54.

"And if, seeking an illicit connection with fame, Any one else should put in a claim

In this comical competition,

That excellent poem will prove

A man-trap for such foolish ambition,

Where the silly rogue shall be caught by the leg, And exposed in a second edition."

55.

Now, the morning air was cold for him,
Who was used to a warm abode;

And yet he did not immediately wish
To set out on his homeward road.

56.

For he had some morning calls to make

Before he went back to Hell;

"So," thought he, "I'll step into a gaming-house,

And that will do as well;"

But, just before he could get to the door,

A wonderful chance befell.

57.

For all on a sudden, in a dark place,

fle came upon General

-'s burning face;

And it struck him with such consternation,

That home in a hurry his way did he take,
Because he thought, by a slight mistake,
'Twas the general conflagration.

INSCRIPTIONS.

The three utilities of Poetry: the praise of Virtue and Goodness the memory of things remarkable, and to invigorate the Affections. WELSH TRIAD.

I.

FOR A COLUMN AT NEWBURY

CALL'ST thou thyself a Patriot? On this field
Did Falkland fall, the blameless and the brave,
Beneath the banners of that Charles whom thou
Abhorrest for a Tyrant. Dost thou boast
Of loyalty? The field is not far off,

Where, in rebellious arms against his King,
Hampden was killed, that Hampden at whose

name

The heart of many an honest Englishman
Beats with congenial pride. Both uncorrupt,
Friends to their common country both, they fought,
They died, in adverse armies. Traveller!
If with thy neighbor thou shouldst not accord,
Remember these, our famous countrymen,
And quell all angry and injurious thoughts.
BRISTOL, 1796.

II.

FOR A CAVERN THAT OVERLOOKS THE RIVER AVON.

ENTER this cavern, Stranger!

Here, awhile

Respiring from the long and steep ascent,
Thou mayst be glad of rest, and haply too
Of shade, if from the summer's westering sun
Sheltered beneath this beetling vault of rock.
Round the rude portal clasping its rough arms,
The antique ivy spreads a canopy,

From whose gray blossoms the wild bees collect
In autumn their last store. The Muses love
This spot; believe a Poet who hath felt
Their visitation here. The tide below,
Rising or refluent, scarcely sends its sound
Of waters up; and from the heights beyond,
Where the high-hanging forest waves and sways,
Varying before the wind its verdant hues,
The voice is music here. Here thou mayst feel

How good, how lovely, Nature! And when, hence
Returning to the city's crowded streets,

Thy sickening eye at every step revolts
From scenes of vice and wretchedness, reflect
That Man creates the evil he endures.

BRISTOL, 1796.