 | The Poems of John Byrom |  |
90
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,
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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 timeSuits 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;
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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 feastEach 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!
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VI
So saith the simile: we mortal peopleAre 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.
| The Poems of John Byrom | |