 | Poems on several occasions |  |
30
THE FAIRING.
The year now clos'd with many toiling pains,
To smooth their rugged fate, the nymphs and swains
On th'wings of fancy fly without delay,
While Britain's blessing gives them holiday.
Thee Liberty, thou balsam to th'opprest,
Proclaims the ploughman's toil this day at rest;
Proclaims the rosy milkmaid free from care
At blest conclusion of her slavish year.
But that now past, remembrance scarce can find
A pensive thought, 'tis gone like blast of wind;
All cares are hush'd: see health-blown Colin hail
His darling Bess to leave her milking pail.
In innocence array'd, she straitway hies
To her dear wish, he joyous leads the prize;
And whilst their harmless chat fresh joy renews,
Their health-strung nerves the journey's task subdues.
Thus jogging on they come unto the fair,
There round them John and Joan wide-gaping stare,
And wonders mightily what brought them there!
To smooth their rugged fate, the nymphs and swains
On th'wings of fancy fly without delay,
While Britain's blessing gives them holiday.
Thee Liberty, thou balsam to th'opprest,
Proclaims the ploughman's toil this day at rest;
Proclaims the rosy milkmaid free from care
At blest conclusion of her slavish year.
But that now past, remembrance scarce can find
A pensive thought, 'tis gone like blast of wind;
All cares are hush'd: see health-blown Colin hail
His darling Bess to leave her milking pail.
31
To her dear wish, he joyous leads the prize;
And whilst their harmless chat fresh joy renews,
Their health-strung nerves the journey's task subdues.
Thus jogging on they come unto the fair,
There round them John and Joan wide-gaping stare,
And wonders mightily what brought them there!
The rustick salutations being past;
What, shall us go and drink? besure the last.
But who the best drink sells? the question's now;
Why at yon house, the sign an oaken bough.
Then in they go, and loudly call for ale
And new-made cakes, to give themselves regale:
The froth-crown'd bumper each in order quaft,
While sweet refreshment join'd th'enliv'ning draught.
But, nature's wants supply'd, the untaught train,
Gladly embrac'd bright Reason's call, refrain.
What, shall us go and drink? besure the last.
But who the best drink sells? the question's now;
Why at yon house, the sign an oaken bough.
Then in they go, and loudly call for ale
And new-made cakes, to give themselves regale:
The froth-crown'd bumper each in order quaft,
While sweet refreshment join'd th'enliv'ning draught.
But, nature's wants supply'd, the untaught train,
Gladly embrac'd bright Reason's call, refrain.
32
Their wonted sports now see them re-assume
With hearts quite lighten'd by the potent fume:
Around the fair with saunt'ring gait they stray,
And loving greet acquaintance in the way;
Shake hands and nod: then ardently enquire
Whether their station rises any higher?
How Dick and Moll, how Nell and Ralph go on,
Whether one stays, or where the other's gone;
Or how Ned likes the home-bred toily round
After he's seen the world at London-town.
He, wiser grown, now laughs at yonder rout,
So brisk at chuck, at trunks, and whirlabout;
Beneath the spinning twirl deceit he spies,
And them derides who vainly seek the prize;
Fain would expose the trickster's juggling schemes,
And blast that skill which at delusion aims:
But speech is vain, the novice can't be rul'd,
Till blank on blank his golden hopes have cool'd.
With hearts quite lighten'd by the potent fume:
Around the fair with saunt'ring gait they stray,
And loving greet acquaintance in the way;
Shake hands and nod: then ardently enquire
Whether their station rises any higher?
How Dick and Moll, how Nell and Ralph go on,
Whether one stays, or where the other's gone;
Or how Ned likes the home-bred toily round
After he's seen the world at London-town.
He, wiser grown, now laughs at yonder rout,
So brisk at chuck, at trunks, and whirlabout;
Beneath the spinning twirl deceit he spies,
And them derides who vainly seek the prize;
Fain would expose the trickster's juggling schemes,
And blast that skill which at delusion aims:
But speech is vain, the novice can't be rul'd,
Till blank on blank his golden hopes have cool'd.
33
Now let us leave awhile the youthful train,
And view the tranquil joys of Hymen's reign.
From sun-burnt labour freed by harvest-homes,
To fair the careful husband likewise comes:
What tho' his view's confin'd to narrow sphere,
The choicest blessings fall unto his share;
Happy in health, thrice happy with his bride
And prattling babes now sporting by his side,
What more can make the minutes smoother glide?
Now on the road he walks with steady pace,
With Jack and Tom the oldest of his race,
Whose artless talk o'er cank'ring care prevails,
His heart's enliven'd by their pretty tales:
At length arriv'd at the desired spot,
Nor is the useful sack the least forgot
To bear home cheese, made from the milchy kine,
And with him drives the rude untoward swine.
And view the tranquil joys of Hymen's reign.
From sun-burnt labour freed by harvest-homes,
To fair the careful husband likewise comes:
What tho' his view's confin'd to narrow sphere,
The choicest blessings fall unto his share;
Happy in health, thrice happy with his bride
And prattling babes now sporting by his side,
What more can make the minutes smoother glide?
Now on the road he walks with steady pace,
With Jack and Tom the oldest of his race,
Whose artless talk o'er cank'ring care prevails,
His heart's enliven'd by their pretty tales:
At length arriv'd at the desired spot,
Nor is the useful sack the least forgot
To bear home cheese, made from the milchy kine,
And with him drives the rude untoward swine.
The fair at height, observe that grov'ling wretch
With talents wonderful to deal and catch;
His griping hand longs to increase his store,
Nor heeds the curses from the starving poor;
Unbounded are his aims, to earthly pelf
H' abandons peace, destroys his vig'rous health,
And then a victim falls to ill-got wealth.
With talents wonderful to deal and catch;
34
Nor heeds the curses from the starving poor;
Unbounded are his aims, to earthly pelf
H' abandons peace, destroys his vig'rous health,
And then a victim falls to ill-got wealth.
The scene soon chang'd from this unpleasant view
At sight of clowns and lasses, two by two,
Returning home in haste but merry plight,
Dull eve reminding the approach of night.
The blithsome Colin too among the band,
See, leading his beloved hand in hand;
But first a sincere farewell takes of those
With whom he'd spent the day; then onward goes,
With joyful mien attends the happy she,
Nor envies kings if Bess his partner be.
At sight of clowns and lasses, two by two,
Returning home in haste but merry plight,
Dull eve reminding the approach of night.
The blithsome Colin too among the band,
See, leading his beloved hand in hand;
But first a sincere farewell takes of those
With whom he'd spent the day; then onward goes,
With joyful mien attends the happy she,
Nor envies kings if Bess his partner be.
Kind Darby's cares too soften'd he returns,
While Jack and Tom, to tell their mammy burns
Of what fine folks and things seen in the fair,
Of lions, tygers, and a frightful bear!
Their rip'ning genius wakes the mother's joys,
Elate with glee, she clasps her little boys.
Whilst glowing with delight the father sees
The infant-smiling Poll betwixt his knees:
With lisping speech she for a fairing craves,
And he in vain the look'd-for suit still waves;
Till pouting lips her inward griefs disclose,
Nor longer could the tender dad impose.
The fairing gain'd, and little Poll at rest,
He presses his dear partner to his breast;
While prudence, peace and joy her praises sung,
Not all th'harmonious strains from harps well strung
Excell'd th'endearing accents of her tongue.
Could he ungrateful stand, and not repay
His heav'nly Benefactor with kind lay
For those delightful blessings to him sent,
A virtuous wife, fine children, and content?
No; soon as day is clos'd, in ardent pray'r,
He craves th'assistance of th'Almighty's care;
And thanks returns to that most gracious Pow'r
Who him protects in each unguarded hour!
While Jack and Tom, to tell their mammy burns
35
Of lions, tygers, and a frightful bear!
Their rip'ning genius wakes the mother's joys,
Elate with glee, she clasps her little boys.
Whilst glowing with delight the father sees
The infant-smiling Poll betwixt his knees:
With lisping speech she for a fairing craves,
And he in vain the look'd-for suit still waves;
Till pouting lips her inward griefs disclose,
Nor longer could the tender dad impose.
The fairing gain'd, and little Poll at rest,
He presses his dear partner to his breast;
While prudence, peace and joy her praises sung,
Not all th'harmonious strains from harps well strung
Excell'd th'endearing accents of her tongue.
Could he ungrateful stand, and not repay
His heav'nly Benefactor with kind lay
For those delightful blessings to him sent,
A virtuous wife, fine children, and content?
36
He craves th'assistance of th'Almighty's care;
And thanks returns to that most gracious Pow'r
Who him protects in each unguarded hour!
| Poems on several occasions | |