And lawny saints in smouldering flames did burn: Ah! dearest Lord, forefend, thilk days should e'er return. In elbow-chair, like that of Scottish stem, Our sovereign prince and liefest liege is placed, graced, (The source of children's and of courtier's pride!) Redress'd affronts, for vile affronts there pass'd; And warn'd them not the fretful to deride, But love each other dear, whatever them betide. Right well she knew each temper to descry; Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold, "Twill whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold. Lo now with state she utters the command! To save from finger wet the letters fair : The work so gay, that on their back is seen, St George's high achievements does declare; On which thilk wight that has y-gazing been, Kens the forthcoming rod, unpleasing sight, I ween! Ah! luckless he, and born beneath the beam And down they drop; appears his dainty skin, Fair as the furry-coat of whitest ermilin. O ruthful scene! when from a nook obscure, His little sister doth his peril see: All playful as she sate, she grows demure; She finds full soon her wonted spirits flee; She meditates a prayer to set him free: Nor gentle pardon could this dame deny, (If gentle pardon could with dames agree) To her sad grief that swells in either eye, And wrings her so that all for pity she could die. No longer can she now her shrieks command; (Ah! too remote to ward the shameful blow!) She sees no kind domestic visage near, And soon a flood of tears begins to flow, And gives a loose at last to unavailing wo. But, ah! what pen his piteous plight may trace ? Or what device his loud laments explain? When he, in abject wise, implores the dame, The other tribe, aghast, with sore dismay, Attend, and conn their tasks with mickle care : By turns, astonied, every twig survey, And, from their fellow's hateful wounds, be ware; Knowing, I wist, how each the same may share; Till fear has taught them a performance meet, And to the well-known chest the dame repair; Whence oft with sugar'd cates she doth them greet, And gingerbread y-rare; now, certes, doubly sweet. See to their seats they hye with merry glee, All but the wight of bum y-galled, he Abhorreth bench, and stool, and fourm, and chair; (This hand in mouth y-fix'd, that rends his hair ;) And eke with snubs profound, and heaving breast, Convulsions intermitting, does declare His grievous wrong; his dame's unjust behest; And scorns her offer'd love, and shuns to be caress'd. His eye besprent with liquid crystal shines, If so I deem aright, transcending worth and fame. Behind some door, in melancholy thought, Mindless of food, he, dreary caitiff! pines; Ne for his fellows' joyance careth aught, But to the wind all merriment resigns; And deems it shame if he to peace inclines; And many a sullen look askance is sent, Which for his dame's annoyance he designs; And still the more to pleasure him she's bent, The more doth he, perverse, her haviour past resent. But now Dan Phoebus gains the middle sky, And, like a rushing torrent, out they fly, For well may freedom erst so dearly won, Appear to British elf more gladsome than the sun. Enjoy, poor imps! enjoy your sportive trade, For never may ye taste more careless hours But most in courts where proud ambition towers; Deluded wight! who weens fair peace can spring Beneath the pompous dome of kesar or of king. |