Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/495
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THE CLOWN AND THE VICAR.
477
He said—across his shoulder throws
His fork, and to his landlord goes.
"I come, an't please you, to unfold
What, soon or late, you must be told.
My bull—a creature tame till now—
My bull has gored your worship's cow.
'Tis known what shifts I make to live:
Perhaps your honour may forgive."
"Forgive!" the squire replied, and swore;
"Pray cant to me, forgive, no more;
The law my damage shall decide,
And know, that I'll be satisfied."—
"Think, sir, I'm poor—poor as a rat."—
"Think I'm a justice, think of that!"
Hodge bowed his head, and scratched his head;
And recollecting, archly said,
"Sir, I'm so struck when here before ye,
I fear I've blundered in the story.
'Fore George! but I'll not blunder now:
Yours was the bull, sir; mine the cow!"
His fork, and to his landlord goes.
"I come, an't please you, to unfold
What, soon or late, you must be told.
My bull—a creature tame till now—
My bull has gored your worship's cow.
'Tis known what shifts I make to live:
Perhaps your honour may forgive."
"Forgive!" the squire replied, and swore;
"Pray cant to me, forgive, no more;
The law my damage shall decide,
And know, that I'll be satisfied."—
"Think, sir, I'm poor—poor as a rat."—
"Think I'm a justice, think of that!"
Hodge bowed his head, and scratched his head;
And recollecting, archly said,
"Sir, I'm so struck when here before ye,
I fear I've blundered in the story.
'Fore George! but I'll not blunder now:
Yours was the bull, sir; mine the cow!"
His worship found his rage subside,
And with calm accent thus replied:
"I'll think upon your case to-night;
But I perceive 'tis altered quite!"
Hodge shrugged, and made another bow:
"An' please ye, where's the justice now?"
And with calm accent thus replied:
"I'll think upon your case to-night;
But I perceive 'tis altered quite!"
Hodge shrugged, and made another bow:
"An' please ye, where's the justice now?"
The Clown and the Vicar.
Hodge, a poor honest country lout,
Not over stocked with learning,
Chanced on a summer's eve, to meet
The Vicar home returning.
Not over stocked with learning,
Chanced on a summer's eve, to meet
The Vicar home returning.
"Ah! Master Hodge," the Vicar cried,
"What, still as wise as ever?
The people in the village say
That you are wondrous clever."
"What, still as wise as ever?
The people in the village say
That you are wondrous clever."
"Why, Master Parson, as to that,
I beg you'll right conceive me,
I do na' brag, but yet I know
A thing or two, believe me."
I beg you'll right conceive me,
I do na' brag, but yet I know
A thing or two, believe me."