Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Charms of melody, or, Siren medley

190
THE CHARMS OF MELODY.
A^
The Viqar and Mofes.
T the fign of the horfe,
Where old Spin-text of courfe,
Each night took his pipe and his pot.
O'er a jorum of nappy,
Quite pleafant and happy.
Was plac'd this canonical lot.
Tol, hi, de rol, l^c.
The evening was dart,
When in came the cleric.
With reverence due and fubmiflion ;
Firft ftrok'd his cravat.
Then twirl'd round his hat,
And bowing, pieferr'd his petition :
" I'm come, fir," fay he,
" To beg, look, d'ye fee,
" Of your reverence's wotfhip and glory,
" To inter a poor baby,
" With as much fpeed as may be,
" And I'll walk with the lantern before you."
" The body we'll bury,
" But pray what's the hurry ?"
" Why, lord, fir, the eorpfe it does ilay •"
" You fool, hold your peace,
" Since miracles ceafe,
" A. eorpfe, Mofes, can't run away."
Then Mofes he fmil'd,
Saying, " fir, a fmall child,
" Cannot long delay your intentions ;"
" Why that's true, by Saint Paul,
" A child that is fmall,
" Can never enlarge its dimenfions.
" Bring Mofes fome beer,
" And me fome, d'ye hear,
" I hate to be call'd from my: liquor ;
" Come, Mofes, the kingi—
" It's a fcandalous thing,
" Such a fubjeft fhould be buta vicar."
Then Mofes he 'fp6ke,
" Sir, 'twas twelve the clock ftruck,
" Befides there's a terrible fhower ;"
" Why Mofes, you elf,
" Since, the clock has ftruck twelve,
" I'm fure it can never Itrike more.
" Befides, my tiear friend,
" This lefl"on attend,
" Which to fay and to fwear I'll be bold,
" That a eorpfe, fnow or rain,
" Can't endanger, that's plain,
•" But perhaps you or I may take cold."
Then mofes went on,
" Sir, the clock has ftruck one,
" Pray, mafter, look up at the hand :
" Why it ne'er can Itrike lei's,
",'Tis a folly to prefs
" A man for to go that can't ftand."
At length hat and cloak,
Old Orthodox cook.
But firft cramm'd his jaw with a quid ;
Each tipt off a gill,
For fear they fiiould chill.
Then ftagger'd away fide by fide.
When come to the grave,
The clerk hum'd a ftave,
Whilft the furplice was wrap"d round the prieft ;
So droll was the figure
Of Mofes and Vicar,
'iThe parifti ftiU talk of the jeft.
'" Good people, let's pray, — *
" Put the eorpfe t'other way,
" Or perchance I (hall over it ftumble ;
" 'Tis beft to take care,
" Tho' the lages declare,
" A mortuum caput can't tumble.
" Woman of man born, —
" That's wrong, the leaf's torn,
" 'Tis man that is born of woman,
" Can't continue an hour,
'■ But's cut doivn like a flower;
*' You fee, Moles, Death fpareth no man.
"Here, Mo'fes, pray look,
" What a confounded book,
" Sure the letters are turn'd upfide down,
" Such a fcandalous print,
" Sure the devil is in't,
" That a blockhead Ihould print for the crown.
" Prithee, Mofes, you read,
*' For I cannot proceed,
" And bury the eorpfe in my ftead.
\_Anun, Amen.'\
" Why,' Mofes, you're wrong,
"You fool, hold your tongue,
■" You've taken the tail for the head.
" O where's thy fting. Death !
" Put the eorpfe in the earth,
" For believe me, 'tis terrible weather;"
So the eorpfe was interr'd.
Without praying a word.
And away they both ftagger'd together.
The feduced Fair.
SHE came from the hills of the weft,
A Imile of contentment Ihe wore;
Her heart was a garden of reft.
But, ah ! the fweet feafon is o'er.
How oft by the ftrearas in the wood.
Delighted Ihe'd ramble and rbve ;
And while fhe ftood marking the flood,
Would tune u,p a ftanza of love.
Her drefs was a garment of green,
Set off with a border of white;
And all the day long might be feen
Like a bird that is always in plight.
In rural diverfion and play
The fummers glid fmoothly along ;
And her winters pafs'd brifkly away,
Cheer'd up with a tale, or a fong.
At length a deftroyer came by,
A youth of more perfon tJian parts,
Well fkili'd in the arts of" the eye.
The conqueft and havock of hearts.
He led her by fountains and ftreams.
He woo'd her with fonnets and books ;
He told her his tales and his dreams,
And mark 'd their effed in her looks.
He taught her by midnight to roam.
Where fpirits and fpeftres aiTright ;
For paffions inereafe with the gloom.
And caution expires with the light.
At length, like a rofe from the Ipray,
Like a lily juft pluck'd from theftem.
She droop'd, and llie faded away,
Thrown by and neglefted like them.