THE OLD CHEESE. YOUNG Slouch the farmer had a jolly wife 5 ΤΟ IS With 'Tis not fo-Pray give me leave to speak." In fact the master of his family. He faid "That the next Tuesday noon would show "Whether he were the lord at home or no, "When their good company he would entreat "To well-brew'd ale and clean if homely mcat." With aking heart home to his wife he goes, And on his knees does his rafh act disclose, And prays dear Sukey that one day at least. He might appear as mafter of the fcaft. Volume II. L 20 25 I'll grant your wish," cries fhe, " that you may fee "Twere wisdom to be govern'd ftill by me." 30 The guests upon the day appointed came, Each bowfy farmer with his fimp'ring dame. "Ho, Su!" cries Slouch, "why doft not thou appear? "Are these thy manners when aunt Snap is here ?” "I pardon afk," fays Su; "I'd not offend 66 Any my dear invites, much lefs his friend." Slouch by his kinfman Gruffy had been taught 35 To entertain his friends with finding fault, And make the main ingredient of his treat His faying "There was nothing fit to eat: "The boil'd pork ftinks, the roast beef is not enough, "The bacon is rufty, and the hens are tough; "The veal is all rags, the butter is turn'd to oil, "And thus I buy good meat for fluts to spoil. ""Tis we are the firft Slouches ever fat "Down to a pudding without plums or fat. 40 "What teeth or ftomachis ftrong enough to feed 45 r Upon a goofe my grannum kept to breed? "Why muft old pigeons, and they stale, be drest, Su all this while many excufes made; 50 Then Cheese was brought. Says Slouch, "This e'en "fhall roll; "I'm fure it is hard enough to make a bowl: 55 "This is fkimmilk, and therefore it fhall go; But now Su's patience did begin to waste, 66 Pray let me rife," fays Su, “my Dear! I'll find "A Cheese perhaps may be to Lovy's mind.” Then in an entry standing close, where he Alone and none of all his friends might fee, And brandishing a cudgel he had felt, And far enough on this occafion felt, "I'll try, my Joy!" the cry'd, "if I can please My dearest with a taste of his Old Cheese !" Slouch turn'd his head, faw his wife's 61 65 'svig'rous hand Wielding her oaken fapling of command; Knew well the twang. "Is'ttheOldCheefemy Dear!" "No need, no need of Cheefe," cries Slouch; "I'l "fwear 71 "I think I've din'd as well as my Lord Mayor!". THE SKILLET. Two neighbours, Clod and Jolt, would marry'd be, Clod thought a cuckold was a monstrous beast, Therefore refolving never to be such, Marry'd a wife none but himself could touch. S And gave his friends convincing reasons for 't, ΙΟ They 'greed; they parted. On the tinker goes 20 25 } 30 35 After all this not many days did pafs Clod fitting at Jolt's houfe furvey'd the brafs And glitt'ring pewter standing on the shelf, Then after fome gruff mutt'sing with himself Cry'd," Pr'ythee, Jolt, how came that Skillet thine!" "You know as well as 1," quoth Jolt; "it'en't mine; "But I'll afk Nan." 'Twas done: Nan told the matter In truth as itwas; then cry'd, “You've got the better; "For tell me, Deareft! whether you would chufe 40 "To be a gainer by me or to lofe? "As for our neighbour Clod, this I dare fay, "We've Beauty and a Skillet more than they." 43 THE FISHERMAN. Toм Banks by native industry was taught ΤΟ Where they might entrance find but no return: |