Of many changes, aptly join'd, A wind to puff your idol-fires, And heap their ashes on the head; To shame the boast so often made, That we are wiser than our sires. Oh yet, if Nature's evil star If New and Old, disastrous feud, Not yet the wise of heart would cease Not less, tho' dogs of Faction bay, Would serve his kind in deed and word, Certain, if knowledge bring the sword, That knowledge takes the sword away Would love the gleams of good that broke From either side, nor veil his eyes : And if some dreadful need should rise Would strike, and firmly, and one stroke : To-morrow yet would reap to-day, As we bear blossoms of the dead; Earn well the thrifty months, nor wed Raw Haste half-sister to Delay. THE GOOSE. I KNEW an old wife lean and poor, He held a goose upon his arm, He utter'd rhyme and reason, "Here, take the goose, and keep you warm, It is a stormy season." She caught the white goose by the leg, A goose-'twas no great matter. The goose let fall a golden egg With cackle and with clatter. She dropt the goose, and caught the pelf, And bless'd herself, and cursed herself, And feeding high, and living soft, So sitting, served by man and maid, It clutter'd here, it chuckled there: She shifted in her elbow-chair, And hurl'd the pan and kettle. "A quinsy choke thy cursed note!" Then wax'd her anger stronger. "Go, take the goose, and wring her throat, I will not bear it longer." Then yelp'd the cur, and yawl'd the cat; And fill'd the house with clamour. As head and heels upon the floor He took the goose upon his arm, He utter'd words of scorning; "So keep you cold, or keep you warm, It is a stormy morning." The wild wind rang from park and plain, Till all the tables danced again, The glass blew in, the fire blew out, Her cap blew off, her gown blew up, And a whirlwind clear'd the larder: And while on all sides breaking loose Her household fled the danger, Quoth she, "The Devil take the goose, And God forget the stranger!" |