Scripscrapologia or, Collins's Doggerel Dish Of All Sorts. Consisting of Songs Adapted to familiar Tunes, And which may be sung without the Chaunterpipe of an Italian Warbler, or the ravishing Accompaniments of Tweedle-Dum or Tweedle-Dee. Particularly those which have been most applauded in the author's once popular performance, call'd, The Brush. The Gallimaufry garnished with a variety of comic tales, quaint epigrams, whimsical epitaphs, &c. &c. [by John Collins] |
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A FRAGMENT,
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A FRAGMENT,
WRITTEN EXTEMPORE ON THE SPOT, AFTER SEEING THE ARMORY IN THE TOWER.
Could we boast Pre-existence, and retrospect Sight,
By omnipotent agency, hold with the change,
How prompt recollection, with mental delight,
O'er Times heretofore would impedelessly range!
By omnipotent agency, hold with the change,
How prompt recollection, with mental delight,
O'er Times heretofore would impedelessly range!
And, from memory, Treasures exhaustless would spring,
Our minds to enrich, while all past they'd pervade;
Nor an Empire, a Nation, a Hero, or King,
In oblivion's dead void be as nullities laid.
Our minds to enrich, while all past they'd pervade;
Nor an Empire, a Nation, a Hero, or King,
In oblivion's dead void be as nullities laid.
For then, we could say, who the Javelin form'd,
Which Cassibelan hurl'd from his chariot on high;
When the fierce Roman foe Britain's boundaries storm'd,
And whose axle-tree Scythe made their proud legions fly.
Which Cassibelan hurl'd from his chariot on high;
When the fierce Roman foe Britain's boundaries storm'd,
And whose axle-tree Scythe made their proud legions fly.
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Who the huge pond'rous Battle-axe temper'd and wrought,
Which Arthur oft wielded with two-handed might,
When Oswald and Osmand unitedly fought,
With that true British Worthy, and conquerless Wight!
Which Arthur oft wielded with two-handed might,
When Oswald and Osmand unitedly fought,
With that true British Worthy, and conquerless Wight!
Then the name could we trace of that Artisan rare,
Who pointed the Spear that Sir Guy pois'd in war,
Old Warwick's fam'd Earl, who grim Giants could scare,
And who moulded his Shield that could ward ev'ry Scar.
Who pointed the Spear that Sir Guy pois'd in war,
Old Warwick's fam'd Earl, who grim Giants could scare,
And who moulded his Shield that could ward ev'ry Scar.
Who sharpen'd the Lance which old Ironsides bore,
With impetuous career, against Canute, the Dane;
Who polish'd the Helmet which brave Harold wore,
And in field, after losing, was pierc'd to the Brain.
With impetuous career, against Canute, the Dane;
Who polish'd the Helmet which brave Harold wore,
And in field, after losing, was pierc'd to the Brain.
Who strung the tough Cross-bow, who beak'd the brown Bill,
Form'd the Breast-plate, so broad, for old Battle Array;
Who, for Bolts, did the Quiver with Oylettings drill,
And feather'd the Shaft with the Goose-wing so grey.
Form'd the Breast-plate, so broad, for old Battle Array;
Who, for Bolts, did the Quiver with Oylettings drill,
And feather'd the Shaft with the Goose-wing so grey.
| Scripscrapologia | |