To go now limping as before, And never hear of that country more!" Alas, alas, for Hamelin! There came into many a burgher's pate As the needle's eye takes a camel in! And bring the children all behind him. Should think their records dated duly If, after the day of the month and year, These words did not as well appear, "And so long after what happened here To shock with mirth a street so solemn; They wrote the story on a column, And I must not omit to say That in Transylvania there's a tribe The outlandish ways and dress, On which their neighbours lay such stress, The Goose To their fathers and mothers having risen Out of Hamelin town in Brunswick Land, So, Willy, let me and you be wipers 611 Of scores out with all men-especially pipers; 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 She dropt the goose, and caught the pelf, And feeding high, and living soft, So sitting, served by man and maid, It clutter'd here, it chuckled there; "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; The goose flew this way and flew.that, 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, And a whirlwind clear'd the larder: The Ballad of Charity And while on all sides breaking loose And God forget the stranger!" 613 Lord Tennyson. THE BALLAD OF CHARITY It was in a pleasant deepô, sequestered from the rain, Whereunto there came a person, very humble was his mien, Who took an observation of the interestin' scene; Closely scanned the umberellas, watched with joy the mighty trunks, And observed that all the people were securin' Pullman bunks: Who was followed shortly after by a most unhappy tramp, Upon whose features poverty had jounced her iron stamp; And to make a clear impression as bees sting you while they buzz, She had hit him rather harder than she generally does. For he was so awful ragged, and in parts so awful bare, That the folks were quite repulsioned to behold him begging there; And instead of drawing currency from out their pocket-books, They drew themselves asunder with aversionary looks. Sternly gazed the first newcomer on the unindulgent crowd, Then in tones which pierced the deepô he solilicussed aloud: "I hev trevelled o'er this cont'nent from Quebec to Bogotáw, But sech a set of scallawags as these I never saw. "Ye are wealthy, ye are gifted, ye have house and lands and rent, Yet unto a suff'rin' mortal ye will not donate a cent; Ye expend your missionaries to the heathen and the Jew, But there isn't any heathen that is half as small as you. "Ye are lucky-ye hev cheque-books and deeposits in the bank, And ye squanderate your money on the titled folks of rank; "Ye are goin' for the summer to the islands by the sea, Where it costs four dollars daily-setch is not for setch as me; Iv'ry-handled umberellas do not come into my plan, But I kin give a dollar to this suff'rin' fellow-man. Hand-bags made of Rooshy leather are not truly at my call, Yet in the eyes of Mussy I am richer 'en you all, For I kin give a dollar wher' you dare not stand a dime, And never miss it nother, nor regret it ary time." Sayin' this he drew a wallet from the inner of his vest, And gave the tramp a daddy, which it was his level best; Other people havin' heard him soon to charity inclinedOne giver soon makes twenty if you only get their wind. The first who gave the dollar led the other one about, Thirty dollars altogether were collected by the tramp, damp, And was followed briefly after by the one who made the speech, And who showed by good example how to practise as to preach. Which soon around the corner the couple quickly met, And the tramp produced the specie for to liquidate his debt; |