 | A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes |  |
The CEREMONIAL.
By the Same.
“Sir, will you please to walk before?”No pray, Sir—you are next the door.
“Upon mine honour, I'll not stir!”
Sir, I'm at home; consider, Sir.
“Excuse me Sir, I'll not go first.”
Well, if I must be rude, I must;
But yet I wish I cou'd evade it;
'Tis strangely clownish—be persuaded, &c. &c.
—Go forward, cits! go forward, squires!
Nor scruple each, what each admires.
Life squares not, friends, with your proceeding:
It flies, while you display your breeding;
Such breeding as one's granam preaches,
Or some old dancing-master teaches—
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Half crazy, or at least half-mellow,
To come behind you, unawares,
And fairly push you both down stairs!
But Death's at hand—Let me advise ye,
Go forward, friends—or he'll surprize ye.
| A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes | |