Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/529
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THE DOCTOR AND HIS APPLES.
511
When one, 'gainst every disappointment proof,
Proposed that they should just—untile the roof;
At least, sufficient space t' admit
A basket, in which one might sit;
And thus, by rope to handle tied,
Be lowered down with gentle ride.
This being approved of, 'twas decided,
That, 'gainst next night, should be provided
A basket and a rope;
Which being in due time effected,
A supercargo was selected,
Who, raised by hope,
Was gradually lowered through the hole,
From whence he sent up apples by the shoal.
This plan they often put in force
(Not oftener than they could—of course),
And when their pilfering job was ended,
The untiled roof they always mended.
Proposed that they should just—untile the roof;
At least, sufficient space t' admit
A basket, in which one might sit;
And thus, by rope to handle tied,
Be lowered down with gentle ride.
This being approved of, 'twas decided,
That, 'gainst next night, should be provided
A basket and a rope;
Which being in due time effected,
A supercargo was selected,
Who, raised by hope,
Was gradually lowered through the hole,
From whence he sent up apples by the shoal.
This plan they often put in force
(Not oftener than they could—of course),
And when their pilfering job was ended,
The untiled roof they always mended.
The Doctor frequent visits made,
And soon perceived his apples strayed;
And oft upon the school-room floor,
Lay many a pear and apple core:
With grief he viewed these sad remains,
Of what to keep, he took such pains.
Despair now made his heart its prey,—
When, entering the loft one day,
His ears had pretty ample proof,
The rogues were breaking through the roof.
He wisely then concealed himself,—
When, lo! down came one little elf;
But he no sooner reach the ground did,
When at him, out the Doctor bounded,
And threatened, if he said a sentence,
He'd give him cause for year's repentance.
The boy stood mute as pewter pot,
While Larrup in the basket got;
When being seated snug and steady,
He made his prisoner cry, "All's ready."
The boys above began to pull,—
"Bless me! the basket's very full."
"He's got a swinging lot this time,"
"And I'll be bound he's picked the prime."
"To it again
With might and main,
Another haul will do the job,"—
"Yo! yo ho!
Up we go!"
And soon perceived his apples strayed;
And oft upon the school-room floor,
Lay many a pear and apple core:
With grief he viewed these sad remains,
Of what to keep, he took such pains.
Despair now made his heart its prey,—
When, entering the loft one day,
His ears had pretty ample proof,
The rogues were breaking through the roof.
He wisely then concealed himself,—
When, lo! down came one little elf;
But he no sooner reach the ground did,
When at him, out the Doctor bounded,
And threatened, if he said a sentence,
He'd give him cause for year's repentance.
The boy stood mute as pewter pot,
While Larrup in the basket got;
When being seated snug and steady,
He made his prisoner cry, "All's ready."
The boys above began to pull,—
"Bless me! the basket's very full."
"He's got a swinging lot this time,"
"And I'll be bound he's picked the prime."
"To it again
With might and main,
Another haul will do the job,"—
"Yo! yo ho!
Up we go!"