Remembering thee, O green and silent dell! And grateful, that by nature's quietness And solitary musings, all my heart Is soften'd, and made worthy to indulge Love, and the thoughts that yearn for human kind. Nether Stowey, April 28th, 1798. RECANTATION. Illustrated in the Story of the Mad Ox. I. AN Ox, long fed with musty hay, At once with Sun and rain. II. The grass was fine, the Sun was bright: With truth I may aver it; The Ox was glad, as well he might, Thought a green meadow no bad sight, And frisked, to shew his huge delight, Much like a beast of spirit. III. Stop, Neighbours! stop! why these alarms? The Ox is only glad But still they pour from cots and farms- (A hoaxing-hunt has always charms) IV. The frighted beast scamper'd about; The mob pursue with hideous rout, A bull-dog fastens on his snout; He gores the dog, his tongue hangs out; He's mad! he's mad, by Jove! V. "Stop, Neighbours, stop!" aloud did call But all, at once, on him they fall, And women squeak and children squall, "What! would you have him toss us all? VI. Oh! hapless sage, his ears they stun, "You bloody-minded dog! cries one, "Of a presbyterian w—re.” VII. "You'd have him gore the parish-priest, "And run against the altar "You fiend!" The sage his warnings ceas'd, And north and south, and west and east, Halloo! they follow the poor beast, Mat, Dick, Tom, Bob and Walter. VIII. Old Lewis, ('twas his evil day) Stood trembling in his shoes; say His legs were stiffened with dismay, The Ox ran o'er him mid the fray, And gave him his death's bruise. ? * One of the many fine words which the most uneducated had about this time a constant opportunity of acquiring, from the sermons in the pulpit and the proclamations in the -corners. IX. The frighted beast ran on--but here, (No tale, tho' in print, more true is) A tear for good old Lewis! X. The frighted beast ran through the town; All follow'd, boy and dad, Bull-dog, Parson, Shopman, Clown: The Publicans rush'd from the Crown, "Halloo! hamstring him! cut him down!" THEY DROVE the poor Ox mad. XI. Should you a Rat to madness teize, Why e'en a Rat may plague you : There's no Philosopher but sees That Rage and Fear are one disease Though that may burn and this may freeze, They're both alike the Ague. |