Poems, Volume 2

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S.A. Oddy, 1814

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Page 141 - I would not have a slave to till my ground, To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth That sinews bought and sold have ever earn'd.
Page 427 - For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in. So down he came ; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more. 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, " The wine is left behind ! " " Good lack ! " quoth he ; " yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword When I do exercise.
Page 232 - Tis pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat, To peep at such a world ; to see the stir Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd ; To hear the roar she sends through all her gates At a safe distance, where the dying sound Falls a soft murmur on th
Page 431 - The bottles twain behind his back were shattered at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse's flanks to smoke, as they had basted been. But still he seemed to carry weight, with leathern girdle braced ; For all might see the bottle-necks still dangling at his waist.
Page 234 - Than those of age ; thy forehead wrapt in clouds, A leafless branch thy sceptre, and thy throne A sliding car indebted to no wheels, But urged by storms along its slippery way ; I love thee, all unlovely as thou seemest, And dreaded as thou art.
Page 437 - And thus unto the youth she said, That drove them to the Bell, " This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain; Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein : But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to misB The lumbering of the wheels.
Page 430 - The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung ; A bottle swinging at each side As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all, And every soul cried out, Well done ! As loud as he could bawl.
Page 433 - But yet his horse was not a whit Inclined to tarry there! For why? — his owner had a house Full ten miles off at Ware. So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly — which brings me to The middle of my song. Away went Gilpin, out of breath, And sore against his will, Till at his friend the calender's His horse at last stood still.
Page 428 - Fair and softly," John he cried, But John he cried in vain ; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein.
Page 157 - Support and ornament of Virtue's cause. There stands the messenger of truth: there stands The legate of the skies! — His theme divine, His office sacred, his credentials clear. By him the violated law speaks out Its thunders ; and by him, in strains as sweet As angels use, the gospel whispers peace.

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