Gravely perceived that must be grand, Of course these different ways of viewing His "perilous career on high." Gay Ching his hands with glee was clapping, And now the crowd's career at last, (Just as by Fiam's door it past,) Came all abruptly to an end! For one of Hodges' two upbearers Had an enchanting female friend, As now 'twas bouncing by 'em. Who doth not know what mischiefs rise And then while Hodges, nought suspecting, Glimpse of reason had enlightened, And that his course aeriâ pennâ Would leave him now less hurt, than frightened, The two their sinews strained, and sent Their load, with such a heave, on high, You'd thought the luckless saint was sent With hair erect, and long limbs sprawling, But, oh! as maiden speakers break * I think this couplet I must alter, It smacks too strongly of Sir Walter ! Ev'n so, (while fearing to be crushed Each idler from beneath him dodges ;) Swift, heavy-like an avalanche-rush'd To earth the astonish'd form of Hodges. He lay so flat, he lay so still, He seem❜d beyond all farther ill. They pinched his side, they shook his head, And then they cried, "The man is dead!" On this, each felt no pleasing chill; For e'en among the Bancokeians, A gentleman for fun to kill, Is mostly punish'd—in plebeians. They stare-look serious-mutter-coughAnd then, without delay, sneak off; Nor at a house for succour knock't, or Thought once of sending for the doctor. Fair Nature, in the young, thy beauty Man's loveliest attribute, affections— Remain behind the vanished crowd |