But both by dint of passion led, Did swift as light'ning spring, And clench'd each other, head to head, Like bull-dogs in a ring. So nicely match'd-'twas all agreed, No stander-by could say, Whether 'old England' would succeed For each endur'd such horrid flings, Till both came off with hanging wings, WE'VE often heard it said, my honest brother, 'Tis dang'rous trusting sticks when they are rotten. A CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH OCCURRED AT SITHNEY CHURCH. A PARSON on a sabbath day, Enter'd his church to read and pray. (The congregation, without doubt, Were very serious and devout :) And having run the service o'er, As often he had done before, Next to the pulpit he ascends, To preach a sermon to his friends. He prov'd by many a text and sentence, The needful doctrine of repentance. But his chief subject seemed to be, How Christians should assist the poor, But when he had his sermon ended, (E're from the pulpit he descended) For ev'ry one his tythes to pay. This notice whosoe'er neglects, Shall suffer as the law directs." WRITTEN IN TIME OF WAR. OH! my poor threadbare Country! If a quill Receive that homage still to Reason due. But let me strive with this my feeble pen, T'awake the feelings of that sordid tribe Who basely riot on their country's spoils; To base self int'rest, and impious pride? These are the causes of our present ills. Deny it not. These make the foul manure Where poverty must grow. These are the bane Of nations,-pest of all society, And nurse to all the family of want. The name of VICT'RY is a specious sound Swelling the bosom with indignant fire. K But ah! how dear these victories are won. Thousands must bleed for one poor branch of laurel ; Cities must fall; widows and orphans pine: Devils might blush to view the horrid scenes Practis'd in war!-for what? To make a hero! Thirst after worldly greatness is a curse, That thirst is our misfortune and that thirst Has brought our nation to its present state. Yet still you call it necessary waste, Inevitable war! Those may believe Such doctrine, who, amidst the nation's wants, Reap their own harvests ;-but the suff'ring subjects Have equal cause to curse them to their face. When nations fall, 'tis the result of pride. And where pride grows and takes the deepest root, That nation verges nearest to destruction. Nor need we far consult prophetic page To prove a truth so clear. We seldom find In all the histories of civil wars, Subjects revolt without a serious cause. Complaints, petitions to their governors, |