The Children's Garland from the Best Poets Part 23

In a hollow tree I live, and pay no rent, Providence provides for me, And I am well content.

And a-begging we will go, Will go, will go, And a-begging we will go.

Of all the occupations A beggar's is the best, For whenever he's a-weary, He can lay him down to rest.

And a-begging we will go, Will go, will go, And a-begging we will go.

I fear no plots against me, I live in open cell: Then who would be a king, lads, When the beggar lives so well?

And a-begging we will go, Will go, will go, And a-begging we will go.

_Old Song_

LXXIII

_BISHOP HATTO_

The summer and autumn had been so wet That in winter the corn was growing yet; 'Twas a piteous sight to see all around The grain lie rotting on the ground.

Every day the starving poor Crowded around Bishop Hatto's door, For he had a plentiful last year's store, And all the neighbourhood could tell His granaries were furnish'd well.

At last Bishop Hatto appointed a day To quiet the poor without delay; He bade them to his great barn repair, And they should have food for the winter there.

Rejoiced such tidings good to hear, The poor folk flock'd from far and near; The great barn was full as it could hold Of women and children, and young and old.

Then when he saw it could hold no more, Bishop Hatto he made fast the door; And while for mercy on Christ they call, He set fire to the barn and burnt them all.

'I' faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire!' quoth he, 'And the country is greatly obliged to me, For ridding it in these times forlorn Of rats, that only consume the corn.'

So then to his palace returned he, And he sat down to supper merrily, And he slept that night like an innocent man, But Bishop Hatto never slept again.

In the morning as he enter'd the hall, Where his picture hung against the wall, A sweat like death all over him came, For the rats had eaten it out of the frame.

As he look'd there came a man from the farm, He had a countenance white with alarm; 'My lord, I open'd your granaries this morn, And the rats had eaten all your corn.'

Another came running presently, And he was pale as pale could be, 'Fly! my Lord Bishop, fly,' quoth he, 'Ten thousand rats are coming this way-- The Lord forgive you for yesterday!'

'I'll go to my tower on the Rhine,' replied he, ''Tis the safest place in Germany; The walls are high, and the sh.o.r.es are steep, And the stream is strong, and the water deep.'

Bishop Hatto fearfully hasten'd away, And he cross'd the Rhine without delay, And reach'd his tower, and barr'd with care All the windows, doors, and loopholes there.

He laid him down and closed his eyes, But soon a scream made him arise; He started, and saw two eyes of flame On his pillow from whence the screaming came.

He listen'd and look'd; it was only the cat; But the Bishop he grew more fearful for that, For she sat screaming, mad with fear, At the army of rats that was drawing near.

For they have swum over the river so deep, And they have climb'd the sh.o.r.es so steep, And up the tower their way is bent To do the work for which they were sent.

They are not to be told by the dozen or score, By thousands they come, and by myriads and more Such numbers had never been heard of before, Such a judgment had never been witness'd of yore.

Down on his knees the Bishop fell, And faster and faster his beads did he tell, As louder and louder drawing near The gnawing of their teeth he could hear.

And in at the windows, and in at the door, And through the walls helter-skelter they pour, And down from the ceiling, and up through the floor, From the right and the left, from behind and before, From within and without, from above and below, And all at once to the Bishop they go.

They have whetted their teeth against the stones, And now they pick the Bishop's bones; They gnaw'd the flesh from every limb, For they were sent to do judgment on him.

_R. Southey_

LXXIV

_THE OLD COURTIER_

An old song made by an aged old pate, Of an old wors.h.i.+pful gentleman who had a great estate, That kept a brave old house at a bountiful rate, And an old porter to relieve the poor at his gate; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

With an old lady whose anger one word a.s.suages; They every quarter paid their old servants their wages, And never knew what belong'd to coachman, footman, nor pages, But kept twenty old fellows with blue coats and badges; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

With an old study fill'd full of learned old books, With an old reverend chaplain, you might know him by his looks, With an old b.u.t.tery hatch worn quite off the hooks, And an old kitchen, that maintain'd half a dozen old cooks; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

With an old hall hung about with pikes, guns, and bows, With old swords, and bucklers, that had borne many shrewd blows, And an old frieze coat to cover his wors.h.i.+p's trunk hose, And a cup of old sherry to comfort his copper nose; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

With a good old fas.h.i.+on when Christmas was come To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum, With a good cheer enough to furnish every old room, And old liquor able to make a cat speak, and man dumb; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

With an old falconer, huntsman, and a kennel of hounds, That never hawk'd nor hunted but in his own grounds, Who like a wise man kept himself within his own bounds, And when he died gave every child a thousand good pounds; Like an old courtier of the queen's, And the queen's old courtier.

_Old Song_

LXXV

_JOHN GILPIN_

John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London Town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, 'Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.

'To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair.

'My sister and my sister's child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we.'

He soon replied, 'I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done.

'I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend, the Calender, Will lend his horse to go.'