University of Virginia Library

Lecturer.
Here's the young discouraged wight,
Who, one afternoon or night,
Hoping that his life, sore blighted,
Could, by wronging it, be righted;
Thinking, if for sorrow's sake,
He his sad career might break,

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Through some fate it might be mended,
From the mammoth bridge descended,
And, by guardian angels guided,
Head-first in the water glided;
Through the awful danger skimming
Like a truant boy “in swimming.”
Let him now, in private glory,
Tell once more his public story.

[The Bridge-jumper arises amid wild applause, not being a freak by birth, hence not having displayed sufficient attraction to arouse envy. He is an inoffensive little fellow, with an exceedingly sad face.