I sought to climb the highest tree,
Where none would dare to follow me,
Or the gay sporting horse to ride,
Which no school-fellow dare bestride.
My feats were sometimes rather scaring,
But the Dame lov'd to see me daring;
As by my running, leaping, walking,
I us'd to set the parish talking,
And, to the good old women's wonder,
I fear'd not lightning nor thunder.
She thought, in future time, my name
By some achievement bold, might claim
A loud blast in the trump of fame.
"When, as a youth, how great the charm To lean upon his willing arm,
Or when she wish'd to take the air,
To guide her poney in the chair;
To fetch her book, to place her stool,
Or bear the laden ridicule :
To chat, to laugh, to sing, to read,
As whims or wishes might succeed:
And I am proud to make it known
Her ev'ry pleasure was my own;
And all to please her I could do,
Was joy, as it was duty too.
"Here now my better story ends-
So far, I trust, Sir, we are friends:
But I could almost wish me dumb,
When I must tell of what's to come."
Sir Jeffery, half-laughing, said,
"Johnny, I pray, be not afraid,
Whate'er your luckless wit has done,
I swear I will set down in fun;
By me, your sins shall be forgiven
As sure as Mercy is in Heaven."
"Then, at your pleasure I proceed,
Nor will I hide a single deed;
There is but one I doubt to own,
But that to you shall be made known,
And will with you securely rest
As in my own uneasy breast;
Though I'm afraid of vengeful laws
As I believe without a cause.
Indeed, I have contriv'd to play
The very fool for many a day,
But brief, be sure, I'll strive to be
In this my early history.
"And here, an' please you, Sir, begins
The tale of my mishaps the chapter of my sins."
IT may seem queer when 'tis the will
Of Fate, its wishes to fulfil,
To call the culprit to the bar,
One born beneath a luckless star,
And from his urging conscience tell
The truths that on his mem❜ry dwell,
When, like a checquer they display
The black and white to open day.
Thus, as the truth he's bound to state,
The former may preponderate;
While, in a happy moment bold,
He may some conscious good unfold,
Nor can the awkward task refuse
Both to applaud and to accuse.
-Such thoughts as these might be the cause,
Why poor QUE GENUS made a pause.
"Well," said Sir Jeff'ry, "pray go on,
Or never will your tale have done:
I've told you, and you must attend;
You tell your story to a friend,
Who will, whatever may appear,
With kindness and compassion hear.”
"Your pardon, Sir, I will proceed, Nor stop till I've perform'd the deed.
-Thus, so far Fortune deck'd with smiles
The season which our youth beguiles,
And gave the hope of added measure
To gay delight and solid pleasure:
But while the merry song went round,
And to the tabor's lively sound,
The village did in cadence beat,
With all its many twinkling feet,
Pale Fate appear'd, in cypress wreath,
And call'd out for the DANCE OF DEATH:
When my dear friend, who gave the feast,
And cheer'd with smiles each happy guest,
Was borne away, I scarce knew why,
But I was told,-it was to die.
And soon, alas! I wond'ring saw
All govern'd by a man of law,
With whom she seldom converse held,
But when her private cares compell'd
Some petty, trifling, legal aid,
Which coolly she discharg'd and paid.
'Twas by this man's exulting side
I walk'd along and sobb'd and sigh'd
When she was carried to the bourne
From whence we mortals ne'er return.
-I was by all around approv'd,
And by the better neighbours lov'd,
While I in ev'ry eye could see
The pity that was felt for me.
By her death-bed he held the quill
That made him master of her will,
While a round sum was written there
Το pay him for the tender care
Which he of her sweet boy would take,
For her's and her dear husband's sake.
Husband! whom this same man of law,
This forging rascal never saw:
Indeed by many it was thought
He put his name where he ought not.
It much surpriz'd each curious friend,
And quite astonish'd Doctor Bend,
Whose rev'rend titles should have been
Where the foul lawyer's name was seen.
Wrong was suspected, Counsel had,
But no objection could be made,
And by all forms of law allied,
The will was shap'd and testified:
The attorney to his duties swore,
So he became Executor.
'Tis true she left her all to me,
But here and there a legacy;
Though, such were this strange will's commands
Through Lawyer Gripe-all's grasping hands,
All was to pass and there remain
Till I the age of man attain;
And if I chanc'd to die before,-
The lawyer was to take the store.
All saw, or all believ'd the cheat,
But the law veil'd the base deceit,
And when the doctor came to see
How justice might be done to me,
On due reflection, thought it fit,
As things were order'd, to submit ;
Told me, at present, to be quiet,
To seem content, nor breed a riot,
But when I truely crav'd a friend,
I knew the home of Dickey Bend :
Then with affection's warmth caress'd me,
And, with a parent's blessing, bless'd me.
"From that dear cottage now I mov'd, Where I such tender fondness prov'd;
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