Quick chain me fast, and tie me down "Fire! water! help! come, haste — I'll die; Come, take me from this burning bed: The smoke. -I'm choking- cannot cry; There now -it's catching at my head! But see! again that demon's come; Look! there he peeps through yonder crack; Mark how his burning eyeballs flash! How fierce he grins! what brought him back? “There stands his burning coach of fire; “Why longer wait? I'm ripe for hell; ALLISON. SONG OF THE WATER DRINKER. Он, water for me, bright water for me- It maketh the faint one strong again: It comes o'er the sense like a breeze from the sea, So water for me, bright water for me- Fill to the brim, fill. fill to the brim, For I, like the flowers, drink nothing — but dew. O water, bright water's a mine of wealth, Fill again to the brim, again to the brim, When o'er the hills like a gladsome bride, As he freshens his wing in the cold grey cloud. But when evening has quitted her sheltering yew, Drowsily flying, and weaving anew Her dusky meshes o'er land and sea, How gently, O sleep, fall thy poppies on me! For I drink water, pure, cold, and bright, And my dreams are of heaven the live-long night; So burrah! for thee, water, hurrah! hurrah! Thou art silver and gold, thou art ribbon and star, Hurrah! for bright water, hurrah! hurrah! JOHNSON. HUMOROUS PIECES. SCENE FROM THE RIVALS. Captain Absolute. Now for a parental lecture—I hope he has heard nothing of the business that has brought me here- I wish the gout had held him fast in Devonshire, with all my heart! [Enter Sir Anthony.] Sir, I am delighted to see you here, and looking so well!-your sudden arrival at Bath made me apprehensive for your health! Sir Anthony. Very apprehensive, I dare say, Jack. — What, vou are recruiting here, hey? Capt. Yes, sir, I am on duty. Sir. Anth. Well, Jack, I am glad to see you, though I did not expect it; for I was going to write to you on a little matter of business. Jack, I have been considering that I grow old and infirm, and shall probably not trouble you long. Capt. Pardon me, sir, I never saw you look more strong and hearty, and I pray fervently that you may continue so. Sir Anth. I hope your prayers may be heard, with all my heart. Well then, Jack, I have been considering that I am so strong and hearty, I may continue to plague you a long time. Now, Jack, I am sensible that the income of your commission, and what I have hitherto allowed you, is but a small pittance for a lad of your spirit. Capt. Sir, you are very good. Sir A. And it is my wish, while yet I live, to have my boy make some figure in the world. I have resolved, therefore, to fix you at once in a noble independence. |