A very decent singer." The poor bird 8. THE YOUNG FLY AND THE OLD SPIDER.- -Wolcot. Fresh was the breath of morn-the busy breeze, And swept the dew-clad blooms with wings so light: Phoebus got up, and made a blazing fire, That gilded every country-house and spire, And smiling, put on his best looks so bright. On this fair morn, a spider who had set, With cautious art, upon a spangled thorn; Humming her little orisons to morn. "Good morrow, dear Miss Fly," quoth gallant Grim"Good morrow, sir," replied Miss Fly to him"Walk in, Miss, pray, and see what I'm about:" "I'm much obliged t'ye, sir," Miss Fly rejoined, "My eyes are both so very good, I find, That I can plainly see the whole without." "Fine weather, Miss"-" Yes, very fine," Quoth cautious Miss, "I fear you'd like my pretty head so well, You'd keep it for yourself, sir,-who can tell?” "Then let me squeeze your lovely hand, my dear, And prove that all your dread is foolish, vain""I've a sore finger, sir, nay more, I fear You really would not let it go again." "Poh. poh, child, pray dismiss your idie dread: I would not hurt a hair of that sweet head Well, then, with one sweet kiss of friendship meet me "La, sir," quoth miss, with seeming artless tongue, "I fear our salutation would be long: So loving, too, I fear that you would eat me." So saying, with a smile she left the rogue, 9. SPECTACLES, OR HELPS TO READ.—Byrom. A certain artist, I've forgot his name, Or "helps to read"-as, when they first were sold, And book produced, to see how they would fit: These in my hand will better suit your eye" "No, but they don't"—" Well, come, sir, if you please Here is another sort, we'll e'en try these ; Still somewhat more they magnify the letter; Now, sir ?"—" Why now-I'm not a bit the better”— So odd a case, thought, sure the man is blind: "No, you great blockhead; if I could, what need 10. THE SCHOOLBOY'S COMPLAINT.—Anonymous. I love my master, and my school full well, When, if by chance, my hands do get a stain, If slate-string lose,-or pencil chance to drop, Oh! direful cane! I wish the burning sun Had parched the ground, and it had brought forth none; Had we no weapon on our England's plain, But we must cross the ocean for a cane? Oh! friends believe me, hear me speak my mind: Oh! what a sufferer, when shall I be freed?— I'll go to him, for he's a man of peace, And in his school the war of cane shall cease;-- Oh! wretched me! how oft I've wished in vain, X 11. THE THREE THE THREE BLACK CROWS.-Byrom. Two honest tradesmen meeting in the Strand, I had it from good hands, and so may you." But, by the by, 'twas two black crows, not three." Whip to the third, the virtuoso went. "Sir,”—and so forth-" Why, yes; the thing is fact, Though in regard to number not exact; It was not two black crows, 'twas only one; The gentleman himself told me the case." "Where may I find him?" "Why,—in such a place.* Away he goes, and having found him out, "Sir, be so good as to resolve a doubt." Then to his last informant he referred, And begged to know if true what he had heard. "Did you, sir, throw up a black crow?" "Not I!" "Bless me! how people propagate a lie! Black crows have been thrown up, three, two, and one, And here I find at last all comes to none' Did you say nothing of a crow at all?" "Crow-crow-perhaps I might, now I recall The matter over." "And pray, sir, what was't?" "Why, I was horrid sick, and, at the last, I did throw up, and told my neighbor so, Something that was as black, sir, as a crow." 12. THE GOUTY MERCHANT AND THE STRANGER Anonymous. In Broad-street buildings, (on a winter night,) His feet, rolled up in fleecy hose, The Public Ledger, in whose columns grubbing Ships, shops, and slops, Gum, galls, and groceries, ginger, gin, When, lo! a decent personage in black, Entered and most politely said "Your footman, sir, has gone his nightly track To the King's Head, And left your door ajar, which I Observed in passing by; And thought it neighborly to give you notice." Ten thousand thanks-how very few get In time of danger Such kind attentions from a stranger! He knows, too, (the unconscious elf,) That there's no soul at home except myself. He knows that rogues and thieves by scores And see, how easily might one Even beneath your very nose, Perform his knavish tricks; Enter your room, as I have done, |