The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme :: :: University of Virginia Library

“After your rough an tough probation
No doubt you'll find a consolation
In makin' sech a hahnsome showin'
While shootin' stars an trumpets blowin'
Reveal to every kind of Hessians
The emptiness of mere perfessions
Without a sure an' solid standin'
Upon the creed of Plymouth Landin'.

In that arousin' day the sinners
Won't keer for drinks before their dinners;
In vain they'll talk of keerds an' smokin',
An' try to brave it out by jokin';
They'll soon begin to want a shelter
An' start for cover helter-skelter.
With graves ajar beneath their noses
An' saints a-shinin' round like Moses,
How they will jump an' dodge an' travel
To keep from slumpin' under gravel,
An scoot acrost lots limber-jinted
Whichever way their snoots are pinted,

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But tucker out at last, an' foller
Apollyon down to Brimstone Holler!

But you, the children of election,
Ordained to keep the right direction,
Or only sidlin' out by seasons
For practical an' pressin' reasons
(As granthers, when the way is stony,
Take medder paths, to spare the pony)
You, knowin' well your sartin callin',
Won't mind to see the skies a-fallin';
You'll stand around as stiff as steeples,
An' mayhap jedge some casyal peoples.”

For a similar sermon, by a Georgian camp-meeting exhorter, see the New York Independent of July 12, 1873. Diversity of time and place cannot mar the unity of genius.