Awd Isaac The Steeplechase, and Other Poems; With a Glossary of the Yorkshire Dialect. By John Castillo |
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THE MAN OF THE WORLD! |
 | Awd Isaac |  |
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THE MAN OF THE WORLD!
From a boy much indulg'd, he grew up to a man,
And had liberty almost unbounded;
Nor scarce ever thought of this life's little span,
With prospects of plenty surrounded!
And had liberty almost unbounded;
Nor scarce ever thought of this life's little span,
With prospects of plenty surrounded!
His steed, like himself, in high spirits he views,
As it snuffs at the fresh flowing fountain;
On which oft at daybreak he brushes the dews,
And gallops o'er valley and mountain!
As it snuffs at the fresh flowing fountain;
On which oft at daybreak he brushes the dews,
And gallops o'er valley and mountain!
His cheek round and fat, wears the hue of the rose,
He seems quite a stranger to sorrow;
And while on his sofa his limbs find repose,
He laughs loudly, and talks of to-morrow!
He seems quite a stranger to sorrow;
And while on his sofa his limbs find repose,
He laughs loudly, and talks of to-morrow!
“To-morrow,” says he, “you must call up the hounds,
As soon as the light is appearing!”—
Not thinking that Death while rambling his rounds,
To his mansion a message is bearing,
As soon as the light is appearing!”—
Not thinking that Death while rambling his rounds,
To his mansion a message is bearing,
“To-morrow,” says he, “we'll unkennel the fox,
Or in his old cabin we'll crush him;
Or when we have got him away from the rocks,
In spite of Old Harry we'll brush him!
Or in his old cabin we'll crush him;
Or when we have got him away from the rocks,
In spite of Old Harry we'll brush him!
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And then we will dine on the lamb or the goose,
Which, if he had liv'd would have fill'd him;
Then o'er a full bumper we'll have a carouse,
And we'll sing where he fell, and who kill'd him!”
Which, if he had liv'd would have fill'd him;
Then o'er a full bumper we'll have a carouse,
And we'll sing where he fell, and who kill'd him!”
But ah! when life's stern disappointment he meets,
Like a lion imprison'd he grieves,
That he who expected so much of life's sweets,
So soon of its bitters receives!
Like a lion imprison'd he grieves,
That he who expected so much of life's sweets,
So soon of its bitters receives!
Disease o'er his fortified barriers leaps,
And with internal pain soon afflicts him;—
Next into his chamber the pale monster creeps,
And singles him out as his victim!
And with internal pain soon afflicts him;—
Next into his chamber the pale monster creeps,
And singles him out as his victim!
Like a leaf that in autumn falls dead from the tree,
Soon a train is seen weeping behind him:—
A visit I made, his improvements to see,
And I look'd, but alas, could not find him!
Soon a train is seen weeping behind him:—
A visit I made, his improvements to see,
And I look'd, but alas, could not find him!
| Awd Isaac | |