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,

Asleep at the dawn of the day, I dream'd what I cannot but sing,

So pleasant it seem'd as I lay. I dream'd that, on ocean afloat,

Far hence to the westward I sailid, While the billows high lifted the boat,

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,

Fled, chased by her melody clear, And methought while she liberty sung,

'Twas liberty only to hear.

Thus swiftly dividing the flood,

To a slave-cultured island we came,
Where a demon, her enemy, stood-

Oppression his terrible name.
In his hand, as the sign of his sway,

A scourge hung with lashes he bore,
And stood looking out for his prey

From Africa's sorrowful shore.

But soon as approaching the land,

That goddess-like woman he view'd, The scourge he let fall from his hand,

With blood of his subjects imbrued. I saw him both sicken and die,

And the moment the monster expired, Heard shouts, that ascended the sky,

From thousands with rapture inspired.

Awaking, how could I but muse

At what such a dream should betide ? But soon my ear caught the glad news,

Which served my weak thought for a guide ; That Britannia, renown'd o'er the waves

For the hatred she ever has shown To the black-sceptred rulers of slaves,

Resolves to have none of her own.

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN

Showing how he went farther than he intended,

and came safe home again.

JOHN GILPIN was a citizen

Of credit and renown,
A trainband captain eke was he

Of famous London town.
John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,

Though weldded we have been
These twide ten tedious yedrs, yet we

No holiday have seen.

My sister, and my sister's child,

Myself, and children three,
Will fill the chaise ; so you must rido

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

Will lend his horse to go."

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said ;

And for that wine is dear,
We will be furnished with our own,

Which is both bright and clear."

John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife;

O'erjoyed was he to find,
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

Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stay'd,

Where they did all get in;
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.

23

VOL. I.

Johr Gilpin at his horse's side

Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride,

But soon came down again ;

For saddletree scarce reach'd 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 heyet bring it me,

My leathern belt likewise,
In which I bear my trusty sword

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.