Thou little tricksy Puck! With antic toys so funnily bestuck, Light as the singing bird that wings the air (The door! the poor! he'll tumble down the stair!) Thou darling of thy sire! (Why, Jane, he'll set his pinafore afire!) Thou imp of mirth and joy! In Love's dear chain so strong and bright a link, Fit playfellow for Fays, by moonlight pale, (That dog will bite him if he pulls its tail!) Thou human humming-bee, extracting honey Thy father's pride and hope! (He'll break the mirror with that skipping-rope!) With pure heart newly stamped from Nature's mint (Where did he learn that squint ?) Thou young domestic dove! (He'll have that jug off, with another shove!) Dear nursling of the Hymeneal nest! (Are those torn clothes his best ?) Little epitome of man! (He'll climb upon the table, that's his plan !) Touched with the beauteous tints of dawning life – (He's got a knife !) Thou enviable being! No storms, no clouds, in thy blue sky foreseeing, Play on, play on, My elfin John! Toss the light ball bestride the stick (I knew so many cakes would make him sick!) . (He's got the scissors, snipping at your gown!) Thou pretty opening rose! (Go to your mother, child, and wipe your nose!) I cannot write unless he's sent above!) IV. A SERENADE. “LULLABY, O, lullaby!" The brat will never shut an eye; "Lullaby, O, lullaby! What the devil makes him cry? Still he stares I wonder why, Why are not the sons of earth Blind, like puppies, from the birth?" "Lullaby, O, lullaby!" Mary, you must come and try! The more I sing, the more you wake!" "Lullaby, O, lullaby! Fie, you little creature, fie! Is no poppy-syrup nigh? "Lullaby, O, lullaby! Two such nights and I shall die! He'll be bruised, and so shall I, – "Lullaby, O, lullaby! Lullaby, O, lullaby! My nerves relax, — my eyes grow dim A PLAIN DIRECTION. "Do you never deviate?"-JOHN BULL. IN London once I lost my way in faring to and fro, 66 He gave a nod, and then a wink, and told me to get there Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I boxed his little saucy ears, and then away I strode; But since I've found that weary path is quite a common road. Utopia is a pleasant place, but how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've read about a famous town that drove a famous trade, Where Whittington walked up and found a fortune ready made. The very streets are paved with gold; but how shall Į get there? Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've read about a Fairy Land, in some romantic tale, Where dwarfs if good are sure to thrive, and wicked giants fail; My wish is great, my shoes are strong, but how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've heard about some happy isle, where every man is free, And none can lie in bonds for life for want of L. S. D. 66 O! that's the land of Liberty! but how shall I get there? Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've dreamt about some blessed spot, beneath the blessed sky, Where bread and justice never rise too dear for folks to buy. It's cheaper than the Ward of Cheap, but how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is an ancient house, as pure as it is old, Where members always speak their minds, and votes are never sold. 66 I'm fond of all antiquities, but how shall I get there? Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is a royal court maintained in noble state, Where every able man, and good, is certain to be great! I'm very fond of seeing sights, but how shall I get there? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is a temple too, where Christians come to pray; But canting knaves and hypocrites and bigots keep away. O! that's the parish church for me! but how shall I get there ? 66 Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is a garden fair, that's haunted by the dove, Where love of gold doth ne'er eclipse the golden light 66 of love; The place must be a Paradise, but how shall I get there? Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've heard there is a famous land for public spirit known — Whose patriots love its interests much better than their own. |