TO THE SAME.
I
To Haddon John, and Heyward Thomas, greeting!
On Friday next there is to be a meeting
At ancient Bufton's, where the brethren, Wright,
Baskervyle, Swinton, Toft's facetious knight,
[And] Lancaster, and Cattel, if he can,
And, on the same terms, Clowes the alderman,
Have all agreed to hold, upon the border
Of Altrincham, a Chapter of the Order.
II
Now then, sagacious brethren, if the time
Suits with convenience, as it does with rime,
I hope we safely may depend upon
The representatives of Warrington.
See that no business contradict your journey;
If any should, transact it by attorney;
On Friday morn be ready spurred and booted,
That your convenience may not be non-suited.
III
Moreover, brethren, if the time permit,
Bring something in your pockets neatly writ;
For thus it was agreed by all our votes,
That ev'ry member should produce his notes.
“Bring every man some writing of his own
That we mayn't meet for theory alone,”
Said the Grand-Master, “but for practice also;”—
To which the general answer was: “We shall so.”
IV
Could but I once a country congress fix,
Before the winter calls me up to Dick's,
And tie therewith, as with a shorthand tether,
My Lancashire and Cheshire sons together:
Then, emulation would perhaps inspire,
And one example set the rest on fire;
So should my sons of Lancashire and Cheshire
Work ev'ryone at shorthand like a thresher.
V
Yea, meet, my sons; appoint a shorthand feast
Each fortnight, three weeks, or each month at least;
Lest it be said by longhand men profane,
We caught so many clever folk in vain!
Be not discouraged, then, if one by one—
Dull solitude!—you go but slowly on:
For, when you meet together in a bundle,—
Adzooks! you cannot think how fast you'll trundle!
VI
So saith the simile: we mortal people
Are like the bells that hang within a steeple;
Where one poor, solitary, single bell
Working alone, prolongs a dismal knell;
But all together, with one common zeal,
Join merrily enough to ring a peal.
