 | Rhymes with reason and without |  |
213
THE SEEDY OLD GENTLEMAN.
Something similar, fully as comprehensible, but not quite as good as the “Ancient Mariner.”
Across my way, for many a day,
I've seen that old man pass;
He seemeth tough, and poor enough,
And like to be, alas!
I've seen that old man pass;
He seemeth tough, and poor enough,
And like to be, alas!
I'll seize my friend who here doth wend,
To learn his story drear;
I'll chain my friend, unto the end,
Like the Ancient Marinere.
To learn his story drear;
I'll chain my friend, unto the end,
Like the Ancient Marinere.
My friend draws nigh, I catch his eye,
He falls within its spell;—
See yon man old, I would be told
How he from fortune fell.
He falls within its spell;—
See yon man old, I would be told
How he from fortune fell.
He hears me speak—pale grows his cheek,
His lips are deadly white;
His brows are knit, his teeth are set,
His eye is icy bright.
His lips are deadly white;
His brows are knit, his teeth are set,
His eye is icy bright.
214
“The bank will close, my chance I'll lose,
My note they will protest;”
But still with my look, like fish with hook,
I held him in unrest.
My note they will protest;”
But still with my look, like fish with hook,
I held him in unrest.
“'T is nearly two—what shall I do?
My note they will protest!
On 'change my name will be a shame,
A byword and a jest.”
My note they will protest!
On 'change my name will be a shame,
A byword and a jest.”
But by my spell I bade him tell
That old man's seedy fate;
“You shall not go till this I know,
Though you were ten times late.”
That old man's seedy fate;
“You shall not go till this I know,
Though you were ten times late.”
Then spoke that man, while tremors ran
Along his spell-bound frame,—
“His story well I'd like to tell,
His fortune and his name;
Along his spell-bound frame,—
“His story well I'd like to tell,
His fortune and his name;
| Rhymes with reason and without | |