Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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THE
MORE HASTE THE WORST SPEED. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
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THE MORE HASTE THE WORST SPEED.
Young Hasty galloped in the Park
For morning turn, a dashing spark,
Well booted, spur'd, and mounted high
On steed of mettle, which, could shy,
Kick, turn or caper, at his will,
And all accomplishments fulfil.—
It chanc'd, through well placed optic glass,
He saw approach the favored lass
His long anxiety had sought
To win and conquer. Quick the thought
Of showing off his noble steed,
Of gaining from the fair, the meed
Of praise and interest. The spur
Was gently tickling him to stir;
The curb, in curve preserv'd his neck,
And kept his spirit with a check,
Still made him seem impatient too,
As if he wish'd to rear, or go.
As nearer now the damsel came,
And hope inspired the rising flame,
And eyes were meeting in the glance,
His horse in full and perfect prance,
A horrid cur of bull-dog kind,
Ran from the company behind;
And flew at Pegasus. The start
Shot hasty foremost like a dart,
With hat and stick and self to ground,
A tragedy for all around:
The spur in stirrup kept the boot,
And thus suspended by the foot,
Young Hasty dangled in the course,
Beside the much affrighten'd horse.
But luckily the worst to tell,
A bruise or so, and all was well.
For morning turn, a dashing spark,
Well booted, spur'd, and mounted high
On steed of mettle, which, could shy,
Kick, turn or caper, at his will,
And all accomplishments fulfil.—
It chanc'd, through well placed optic glass,
He saw approach the favored lass
His long anxiety had sought
To win and conquer. Quick the thought
Of showing off his noble steed,
Of gaining from the fair, the meed
Of praise and interest. The spur
Was gently tickling him to stir;
The curb, in curve preserv'd his neck,
And kept his spirit with a check,
Still made him seem impatient too,
As if he wish'd to rear, or go.
36
And hope inspired the rising flame,
And eyes were meeting in the glance,
His horse in full and perfect prance,
A horrid cur of bull-dog kind,
Ran from the company behind;
And flew at Pegasus. The start
Shot hasty foremost like a dart,
With hat and stick and self to ground,
A tragedy for all around:
The spur in stirrup kept the boot,
And thus suspended by the foot,
Young Hasty dangled in the course,
Beside the much affrighten'd horse.
But luckily the worst to tell,
A bruise or so, and all was well.
Thus spake the man, who stopt the steed,
“The more of Haste the worse of speed!”
Young hasty felt it, own'd the truth,
And well observed it through his youth;
And after, never sought to splash,
For fear of such another dash.
“The more of Haste the worse of speed!”
Young hasty felt it, own'd the truth,
And well observed it through his youth;
And after, never sought to splash,
For fear of such another dash.
This story told, the moral take,
And keep it for affections sake:—
How oft, when anxious for display
We're sure to take the very way,
Which, unforseen events may turn
To quick disgrace. 'Tis thus we learn
To moderate our passions fire;
And honestly in Love, aspire
To win affection, not by show,
But constant, earnest, faithful vow.
Thus are we likely to succeed,
And keep the pace, the best for speed.
And keep it for affections sake:—
37
We're sure to take the very way,
Which, unforseen events may turn
To quick disgrace. 'Tis thus we learn
To moderate our passions fire;
And honestly in Love, aspire
To win affection, not by show,
But constant, earnest, faithful vow.
Thus are we likely to succeed,
And keep the pace, the best for speed.
| Valentine Verses | |