His scruples thus silenced, Tom felt more at ease, And went with his comrades the apples to seize ; He blamed and protested, but join'd in the plan He shared in the plunder, but pitied the man. THE MORNING DREAM. "TWAS in the glad season of spring, Far hence to the westward I sail'd, And the fresh, blowing breeze never fail❜d. In the steerage a woman I saw, Such at least was the form that she wore, Whose beauty impress'd me with awe, Ne'er taught me by woman before. She sat, and a shield at her side Shed light, like a sun on the waves, And smiling divinely, she cried"I go to make freemen of slaves." Then raising her voice to a strain The sweetest that ear ever heard, She sung of the slave's broken chain, Wherever her glory appear'd. Some clouds, which had over us hung, Thus swiftly dividing the flood, To a slave-cultured island we came, But soon as approaching the land, And the moment the monster expired, Awaking, how could I but muse At what such a dream should betide? To the black-sceptred rulers of slaves, THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. 1 A trainband captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding day, My sister, and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we. He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done. I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folks so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. Johr. Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, When I do exercise. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound. |