FAMINE. A baby beat its dying mother: I had starv'd the one and was starving the other! Both. Who bade you do't? FAMINE. The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried, Halloo! To him alone the praise is due. FIRE. Sisters! I from Ireland came ! I flung back my head and I held my sides, It was so rare a piece of fun To see the swelter'd cattle run With uncouth gallop through the night, Scared by the red and noisy light!. By the the light of his own blazing cot The house-stream met the flame and hiss'd, On some of those old bed-rid nurses, That deal in discontent and curses. Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried, Halloo ! To him alone the praise is due. All. He let us loose, and cried, Halloo! How shall we yield him honour due? FAMINE. Wisdom comes with lack of food. I'll gnaw, I'll gnaw the multitude, Till the cup of rage o'erbrim : SLAUGHTER. They shall tear him limb from limb! FIRE. O thankless beldames and untrue! And is this all that you can do An eight years' work?-Away! away! Cling to him everlastingly. 1796. A QUAS HUMILIS TENERO STYLUS OLIM EFFUDIT IN EVO, OMNIA PAULATIM CONSUMIT LONGIOR ETAS, VIVENDOQUE SIMUL MORIMUR, RAPIMURQUE MANENDO. IPSE MIHI COLLATUS ENIM NON ILLE VIDEBOR: FRONS ALIA EST, MORESQUE ALII, NOVA MENTIS IMAGO, PECTORE NUNC GELIDO CALIPOS MISEREMUR AMANTES, VETERES TRANQUILLA TUMULTUS MENS HORRET RELEGENSQUE ALIUM PUTAT ISTA LOCUTUM. PETRARCH. |