University of Virginia Library

IMPROMPTU ON A LANDLORD.

Beneath this stone lies Harry Rinder,
Whose heart would light as soon as tinder;
And a bright spark from beauty's eye
Kindle his soul to ecstasy.
At length he took a loving wife,
And then commenced a landlord's life;
And all the time he was a brewer,
No man to wife was ever truer.
Death came at last and made him quail,
And conscience spoke about his ale:
Had he sent tippling souls to ruin
By putting drugs in every brewing?
Then truth of blame did Harry clear;
For never, in his ale or beer,
Did he put berries, drugs, or drops,
But simply water, malt, and hops.