Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/496
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478
THE CLOWN AND THE VICAR..
"We'll try your skill," the parson cried,
"For learning what digestion;
And this you'll prove or right or wrong,
By solving me a question.
"For learning what digestion;
And this you'll prove or right or wrong,
By solving me a question.
"Noah of old three babies had,
Or grown-up children, rather;
Shem, Ham, and Japhet, they were called.
Now, who was Japhet's father?"
Or grown-up children, rather;
Shem, Ham, and Japhet, they were called.
Now, who was Japhet's father?"
"Rat it!" cried Hodge, and scratched his head,
"That does my wits belabour;
But howsome'er I'll homeward run,
And ask old Giles my neighbour."
"That does my wits belabour;
But howsome'er I'll homeward run,
And ask old Giles my neighbour."
To Giles he went, and put the case
With circumspect intention;
"Thou fool," cried Giles, "I'll make it clear
To thy dull comprehension.
With circumspect intention;
"Thou fool," cried Giles, "I'll make it clear
To thy dull comprehension.
"Three children has Tom Long, the smith,
Or cattle doctor, rather;
Tom, Dick, and Harry they are called,
Now, who is Harry's father?"
Or cattle doctor, rather;
Tom, Dick, and Harry they are called,
Now, who is Harry's father?"
"Adzooks! I have it," Hodge replied,
"Right well I know your lingo,
Who's Harry's father? Stop—here goes—
Why, Tom Long Smith, by jingo!"
"Right well I know your lingo,
Who's Harry's father? Stop—here goes—
Why, Tom Long Smith, by jingo!"
Away he ran to find the priest,
With all his might and main,
Who with good humour instant put
The question once again.
With all his might and main,
Who with good humour instant put
The question once again.
"Noah of old three babies had,
Or grown-up children, rather;
Shem, Ham, and Japhet, they were called,
Now, who was Japhet's father?"
Or grown-up children, rather;
Shem, Ham, and Japhet, they were called,
Now, who was Japhet's father?"
"I have it now," Hodge grinning cried,
"I'll answer like a proctor;
Who's Japhet's fatter?—now I know—
Why, Tom Long Smith, the doctor."
"I'll answer like a proctor;
Who's Japhet's fatter?—now I know—
Why, Tom Long Smith, the doctor."
