Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern or The World turned upside down. By the author of "My Mother," and other poems [Ann and Jane Taylor]. Illustrated with twenty-four engravings |
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SERVANTS TURNED MASTERS.
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 | Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern |  |
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SERVANTS TURNED MASTERS.
Altho' in all countries by actions and words,
Man calls himself lord of the flocks and the herds,
Thro' some hocus pocus (the fable knows how)
Here beasts are the masters, and men in the plough!
Man calls himself lord of the flocks and the herds,
Thro' some hocus pocus (the fable knows how)
Here beasts are the masters, and men in the plough!
And if their rough language will weave into verse,
Perhaps 'twill amuse us to hear them converse;
For after some bowing, and scraping, and that,
They soon were engaged in a sociable chat.
Perhaps 'twill amuse us to hear them converse;
For after some bowing, and scraping, and that,
They soon were engaged in a sociable chat.
“To ask your opinion I long have intended,
“Of this breed of cattle I've heard recommended,”
Says one to the other, “for I understand
“They answer extremely for arable land.”
“Of this breed of cattle I've heard recommended,”
Says one to the other, “for I understand
“They answer extremely for arable land.”
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“O yes, the fat farmers,—an excellent breed!
“I've purchas'd two capital fellows indeed:
“But I hear a prize farmer is soon to be shown,
“That they tell me weighs upwards of seventy stone.
“I've purchas'd two capital fellows indeed:
“But I hear a prize farmer is soon to be shown,
“That they tell me weighs upwards of seventy stone.
“But then those great overgrown animals, neighbour,
“I fancy are just good for nothing at labour;
“They only keep eating, and drinking, and that—
“I don't like a beast so prodigiously fat.”
“I fancy are just good for nothing at labour;
“They only keep eating, and drinking, and that—
“I don't like a beast so prodigiously fat.”
“Why mine, tho' much leaner, are sad idle creatures,
“They are such amazing extravagant eaters!
“The pudding and meat they consume in a day,
“Would keep my whole household in clover and hay.
“They are such amazing extravagant eaters!
“The pudding and meat they consume in a day,
“Would keep my whole household in clover and hay.
“Then 'twould grieve you to see how they trouble me, sir,
“Of a morning before I can get them to stir;
“Indeed all my orders they'd totally scorn,
“If I were not to roar, and to shew them my horn.
“Of a morning before I can get them to stir;
“Indeed all my orders they'd totally scorn,
“If I were not to roar, and to shew them my horn.
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“For in order to keep them a little in fear,
“I'm really oblig'd to be very severe:
“Well, thank you my friend,” said the other, “but now
“I must wish you good day,—my respects to the cow.”
“I'm really oblig'd to be very severe:
“Well, thank you my friend,” said the other, “but now
“I must wish you good day,—my respects to the cow.”
Thus chatted the cattle, as goes the old fable,
The moral let any one find who is able;
If none should occur, let us see if this suits—
That some men behave little better than brutes.
The moral let any one find who is able;
If none should occur, let us see if this suits—
That some men behave little better than brutes.
J.
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