My gladfome limbs; while in repeated round
Returns replenish'd, the fucceffive cup,
And the brifk fire confpires to genial joy:
While haply, to relieve the ling❜ring hours
In innocent delight, amusive Putt
On smooth joint-ftool in emblematic play
The vain viciffitudes of fortune fhews.
Nor reck'ning, name tremendous, me disturbs,
Nor, call'd for, chills my breast with sudden fear;
While on the wonted door, expreffive mark,
The frequent penny stands defcrib'd to view,
In fnowy characters and graceful row.~~
Hail, TICKING! fureft guardian of distress!
Beneath thy fhelter pennylefs I quaff
The chearful cup, nor hear with hopeless heart
New oysters cry'd :-tho' much the poet's friend,
Ne'er yet attempted in poetic strain,
Accept this tribute of poetic praife !
Nor Proctor thrice with vocal hecl alarms
Our joys fecure, nor deigns the lowly roof
Of pot-house fnug to vifit: wifer he
The splendid tavern haunts, or coffee-houfe
Of JAMES OF JUGGINS, where the grateful breath
Of loath'd tobacco ne'er diffus'd its balm;
But the lewd spendthrift, falfely deem'd polite,
While fteams around the fragrant Indian bowl,
Oft damns the vulgar fons of humbler ALE:
In vain the Proctor's voice arrefts their joys;
Juft fate of wanton pride and loose excefs!
Nor lefs by day delightful is thy draught,
All-pow'rful ALE! whofe forrow-foothing sweets
Oft I repeat in vacant afternoon,
When tatter'd stockings afk my mending hand
Not unexperienc'd; while the tedious toil
Slides unregarded. Let the tender fwain
Each morn regale on nerve-relaxing tea,
Companion meet of languor-loving nymph:
Be mine each morn with eager appetite
And hunger undiffembled, to repair
To friendly buttery; there on fmoaking cruft
And foaming ALE to banquet unrestrain'd,
Material breakfast! Thus in ancient days
Our ancestors robust with liberal cups
Ufher'd the morn, unlike the fqueamish fons
Of modern times: Nor ever had the might
Of Britons brave decay'd, had thus they fed
With British ALE improving British worth.
With ALE irriguous, undismay'd I hear
The frequent dun afcend my lofty dome
Importunate whether the plaintive voice
Of laundrefs fhrill awake my startled ear;
Or barber fpruce with fupple look intrude;
Or taylor with obfequious bow advance;
invade me with defying front
And ftern demeanour, whofe emaciate fteeds
(Whene'er or Phoebus fhone with kindlier beams,
Or luckier chance the borrow'd boots fupply'd)
Had panted oft beneath my goring steel.
In vain they plead or threat: All-pow'rful ALE
Excufes new fupplies, and each defcends
With joyless pace, and debt-despairing looks:
F'en SPACEY with indignant brow retires,
Fierceft of duns! and conquer'd quits the field.
Why did the gods fuch various bleffings pour On hapless mortals, from their grateful hands So foon the fhort-liv'd bounty to recall? Thus, while improvident of future ill, I quaff the luscious tankard unreftrain'd, And thoughtlefs riot in unlicens'd blifs; Sudden (dire fate of all things excellent!) Th' unpitying Burfar's crofs-affixing hand Blasts all my joys, and ftops my glad career. Nor now the friendly pot-houfe longer yields A fure retreat, when night o'erfhades the skies; Nor SHEPPARD barbarous matron, longer gives The wonted truft, and WINTER ticks no more.
Thus ADAM, exil'd from the beauteous fcenes Of Eden griev'd, no more in fragrant bow'r On fruits divine to feast, fresh fhade or vale, No more to vifit, or vine-mantled grot; But, all forlorn, the dreary wilderness, And unrejoicing folitudes to trace :
Thus too the matchless bard, whose lay resounds
The SPLENDID SHILLING's praife, in nightly gloom
Of lonefome garret pin'd for chearful ALE;
Whose steps in verse Miltonic I pursue,
Mean follower, like him with honeft love
Of ALE divine infpir'd, and love of fong.
But long may bounteous heav'n with watchful care
Avert his hapless lot! Enough for me
That burning with congenial flame I dar'd
His guiding steps at diftance to pursue,
And fing his favorite theme in kindred strains.
HEN now, mature in claffic knowledge,
The joyful youth is fent to college,
His father comes, an humble fuitor,
With bows and speeches to his tutor,
“Sir, give me leave to recommend him,
"I'm sure you cannot but befriend him;
"I'll warrant that his good behav❜our
“Shall justify your future favour;
"And for his parts, to tell the truth,
"My fon's a very forward youth;
"He's young indeed, but has a fpirit,
"And wants but means, to fhew his merit;
"Has Horace all by heart,-you'd wonder,
"And mouths out Homer's greek like thunder.
"If you'd but venture to admit him,
"A scholarship would nicely fit him;
"That he fucceeds 'tis ten to one,
"Your vote and intereft, Sir,-'tis done."
Our candidate at length gets in,
A hopeful scholar of Coll. Trin.
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