Gravely perceived that must be grand,
Which was so hard to understand!
If facts were clear, what use in study?
The well of Truth is always muddy!
Of course these different ways of viewing
The good man, made them also eye
With different gaze, the seer pursuing
His "perilous career on high.”
Gay Ching his hands with glee was clapping,
Shouting, "Ah, look! how near a toss over;"
Grave Chang, his arms around him wrapping,
Groaned, "What a state for a philosopher!"
Ching thought it was delightful sport,
Thinking not of the man's longevity;
Grave Chang made maxims on the short-
Sighted, and vulgar lust of levity!
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,
(A chambermaid to Mrs. Fiam,)
And she, of course, was of the starers,
Who with stretched neck, and merry grin
Looked out, and saw the palanquin,
As now 'twas bouncing by 'em.
Who doth not know what mischiefs rise
From single glance of maiden's
Both, by the sport exhilarated,
And by the maiden's looks elated,
Willing to kill the girl with laughter
Not caring what might happen after,
This cursed fellow stopped, and sign'd
To t'other what was in his mind;
And then while Hodges, nought suspecting,
His breath was slowly re-collecting,
Deeming at length these barbarous men--a
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
Upon a mission to the sky.
With hair erect, and long limbs sprawling,
The sight was really quite appalling ;
So high he went, with such celerity,
It seemed as for some god-like merit, he
Carried from earth like great Alcides
To Jupiter's ambrosial side is.
But, oh! as maiden speakers break
Down, when their highest flight they take;
* 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-cough-
And 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
every clime is seen the best!
And that which manhood makes a duty,
Is impulse in the youthful breast.
So now, our brothers, who, howe'er
Differing in powers, and predilections,
Still, nor in stinted measure, share
Man's loveliest attribute, affections-
Remain behind the vanished crowd
Kneeling, and o'er the sufferer bowed.
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