THE ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATHPallida Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas Regumque turres.	Hor. Lib. i. Od. 4.
With equal Pace, impartial Fate Knocks at the Palace, as the Cottage Gate.THE ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
FROM THE DESIGNS OF THOMAS ROWLANDSON
WITH METRICAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR OF 'DOCTOR SYNTAX'
VOLUME I
A NEW EDITION
METHUEN AND CO. LONDON 1903NOTE
'J"HIS Issue is founded on the original Edition published by R. Ackermann in the year 1815ADVERTISEMENT
The Dance of Death is a Subject so well known to have employed the Talents of distinguished Painters in the Ages of Superstition, that little is required to recall it to the Recollection of the Antiquary, the Lover of the Arts, and the Artist.
Holbein is more particularly recorded as having employed his Pencil in a Work of this Kind; but, without entering into a Detail of those Masters who have treated the Subject of the Dance of Death, the present Object is merely to attract the public Attention to the Subject itself.—Few Remains are now visible of the Original Paintings which represented it; but they have been perpetuated by the more durable Skill of the Engraver, and the Volumes which contain them in the latter Form, are to be found on the Shelves of the learned and curious Collector.—vi	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Subject is the same in them all; but varied according to the Fancy of the Painters; or, perhaps, from local Circumstances attached to the Places which they were respectively intended to decorate.—The predominant Feature is, without Exception, the Representation of one or more Skeletons, sometimes, indeed, in Grotesque Attitudes, and with rather a Comic Effect, conducting Persons of all Ranks, Conditions and Ages, to the Tomb.
Mr. Rowlandson had contemplated the Subject with the View of applying it exclusively to the Manners, Customs, and Character of this Country.— His Pencil has accordingly produced the Designs, which, in the Order they were delivered to me, I have accompanied with Metrical Illustrations : a Mode of proceeding which has been sanctioned by the Success of our joint Labours in the ' Tour of Doctor Syntax.'' The First Volume therefore of the English Dance of Death, which has appeared in Twelve successive Numbers, is now presented to the Public in a collected Form. The Second Volume will follow in the same fnode of Publica-ADVERTISEMENT	vii
tion. Though the Name and Tenour of the Work is borrowed, it may, perhaps, be allowed some Claim to local and characteristic Originality. The most serious Subject attached to our Nature is, indeed, presented with a Degree of familiar Pleasantry which is not common to it:—But, in this Particular, the Example of the Painters who first suggested and propagated the Idea has been followed, and no other Vivacity has been displayed in these Pages, than has been found on the Walls of Edifices dedicated to Religion; and was thus represented in the Cloisters of St. Paul's, before the sacrilegious Pride of the Protector Somerset caused the Dilapidation of that Appendage to the Metropolitan Church of the Kingdom.—But I am not afraid of being accused by reflecting Minds, of having introduced an unbecoming Levity into the following Pages: for that Writer may surely claim the Approbation of the grave and the good, who familiarises the Mind with Death, by connecting it, in any way, with the various Situations and Circumstances of Life.
THE AUTHORTIME AND DEATH
AN INTRODUCTORY DIALOGUE DEATH
' Father Time ! 'tis well we are met I am dispos'd to fume and fret, To see that mortals have the power Thus to prolong Life's fleeting hour; To see them thus display the art That blunts my unavailing dart; And, though the fatal arrow's sped, To make men live when they are dead : While you with placid eye look on, Nor blame the mischief that is done: Nay, suffer the records to last When many an age is gone and past. You, in your motions, are so slow, With such a measur'd step you go,2
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That were it not for sword and fire, Earthquakes, and storms and tempests dire,
Temples and towers of ancient days Would now their perfect structures raise. Nay, still the Antiquarian's toil Digs deep for Greek and Roman spoil, In Desolation's arid fields The perforated cavern yields The vase, the statue, and the bust, Rais'd from th' accumulated dust. Thus, 'neath the modern dome appears The treasures of far distant years, Which, by their various forms impart A blended grace to modern art. So idly you your power employ, That art restores what you destroy. —'Tis true, you thin the flowing hair, And pluck the brow 'till it is bare : You, by degrees, can mark the face With your own venerable grace, And tell the weaken'd form to bend As it draws near its journey's end. —But if nor pain, nor sickness aid, ^ Nor rending care the heart invade, J-Your progress is so slowly made, JENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That all too late Man's made to feel The stroke of my impatient steel: So that I'm courted to attend The old man's death-bed as a friend; When, my stern purpose to revile, Departing Nature beams a smile. —I love dispatch, I strike at once The wit, the wise, the fool, the dunce The steel-clad soldier, stout and bold, The miser, with his treasur'd gold; The studious sage, and matron grave, The haughty noble, and the slave. I strip, with unrelenting paw, The ermine from the man of law; Disrobe the prelate of his lawn, And dim with clouds the op'ning daw Of Beauty's charms : I drink the tear That drops upon the early bier:— Nor spare I Tenderness or Truth, The hoary head, th' ingenuous youth; And Vice and Virtue ever prove An equal doom with Hate or Love. I seize the victor in his car, Encircled with the spoils of war : Unmov'd by power, unaw'd by state, I strike the monarch's guarded gate,4
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And in that very hour invade The cot beneath the elm-tree's shade. I by one fatal word, can dry The streaming tears of Misery, Or stop their loud, promiscuous laugh, Who the rich midnight goblet quaff. But all this power contents me not, When the man dies, his name should rot; Nor with surviving fame defy The arm by which all mortals die.
To Egypt's beauteous Queen I bore The worm with fig-leaves cover'd o'er, Whose venom'd weapon did impart Its fatal moisture to her heart. But still she lives in prose and song, Her bark still glides the waves among: Still are its purple sails unfurl'd To woo the man who shar'd the world. —When my hand seiz'd young Ammon's sword,
And from the earth bore off its Lord, I could not stifle his renown,— I could not blast the laurel crown Wove by the cunning hands of Fame, To consecrate the victor's name.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
5
Such when his glorious life is done, Will be the meed of Wellington : He will my envious power defy, And leave a name that ne'er shall die.
It is, Old Time, so long ago Since my spear laid those monarchs low, To dignify whose cold remains The pyramids oppress'd the plains, That no memorial is supplied, Of who they were, and when they died: But still these structures mock the sky, And your submissive power defy. Thus Art contrives, we feel it true, To laugh at me—and baffle you. —These carving, painting, writing fellows, I own it, make me very jealous. Behold this host of antique elves Who range along the crowded shelves,— They represent the king, the sage, The great and good of ev'ry age; The wise and weak of ev'ry time,— And villains nurs'd in ev'ry clime: See with what pride these artists shew 'em,— Let loose your scythe, old Boy, and mow 'em.6
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Be, for once, active in your trust,— Breathe,—and corrode them into dust. I've no dominion o'er the page That makes men live from age to age; Nor can destroy his marble form Who long since fed the hungry worm. Could I,—no name should ever bloom, Or on the page, or on the tomb. I say, 'tis hard, and still complain, That man should die and live again. That Art should from Oblivion save The mould'ring tenants of the grave : That it preserves, in form and feature, Whate'er has been a living creature.
A goldfinch dies,—but what of that? Though I inspir'd the savage cat To do the deed—Though Betty's huff'd For want of care,—the bird is stuff'd, And on its perch it seems to thrive; Nay, looks as well as when alive. 'Tis true, I may have spoil'd its note, But still the thing preserves its coat. —Again, I say, as you must see, That Art and Learning both agree, -To laugh at jyou, and baffle me.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	7
TIME
' What, Grisly Shape, do you complain, And curse the limits of your reign? You, who can wage continual strife With all things that partake of life, Lamenting, though your spear is hurl'd Each moment, through a suffering world? You are allow'd the fatal art To break a neck or break a heart, To let out life as it may suit Your savage will—you murd'rous brute.— What would you more ?—you hourly meet The funeral trains in ev'ry street; And stately mausoleums rise As altars for your sacrifice. More do you want?—then take a dance Among the blood-stain'd fields of France : Ask Revolution how she sped With her innumerable dead. Is not your grasping arm content With the whole bleeding Continent?— Could YOU your frantic wish enjoy, The world itself you would destroy : Creation's bounds you would bestride, And be yourself a Suicide.8
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
More calmly then, pursue your trade, Take up the mattock and the spade; Heap dust on dust, add grave to grave, Forget to fume, and fret, and rave; And tune the burthen of the song— " That life is short—but Art is long." While you grin o'er the page before you, You know you cannot touch the story; Nor can you shove into a hearse The Heav'n-born Bard's inspired verse: You may, from mere resentment, kill Th'unconscious Painter, if you will; Yet, with his Work, his Name shall live, And share the praise that Time can give. The sculptur'd forms that stand around, By my preserving spells are bound. So 'tis arrang'd by that decree Whose law commands both YOU and ME: Cease then, I pray you, to complain, Your Lamentations all are vain. —You've told me in what feats you shine, And now you will attend to mine.
'Tis I who to the human race Give the immeasurable space,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	9
Which from the aera of my birth,
Form'd the vast scene of man on earth;
And will, in order due, extend,
Till the vast scene of man shall end.
My course is regular and quiet,
I make no noise, I breed no riot.
Indeed, where'er my scythe appears,
It mows down days, and months, and years,
But 'tis a tranquil, silent deed;
And other days and years succeed.
I sometimes wear a wintry robe,
And, in dark mantle, clad the globe :
But, do I ever fail to bring
The fragrant zephyrs of the Spring?
The bounteous Summer next succeeds,
And the Autumnal vintage bleeds.
Thus through the year I bless the eye
With infinite variety.
My office, sometimes, may annoy,
But I ne'er hurry to destroy :
I on my well-pois'd wings attend,
And wait for Nature's ling'ring end.
May not I boast that I give birth
To all that decorates the earth;
And, with renewing charm, supply
The waste of all beneath the sky ?IO	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Old age, the common eye will scan
In meaner things as well as man :
But, when the antique turrets fall,
When the storm shakes the mould'ring wall,
I leave the venerated place
For modern art and skill to grace;
And make the wond'ring plain admire
The stranger forms and new attire.
'Tis true, destruction I employ,—
But I preserve e'er I destroy.
When you, and your twin-brother Care, A life prolong'd to mortals spare, You say, I wrinkle o'er the cheek, And make the pate so smooth and sleek : But that is Wisdom's garb, and wore By Nestor sage in days of yore : Nay, as your ghastly eyes may see, 'Tis worn, you scraggy Shape, by me. If Sickness hastens the decline Of fading life, if pains combine, V They are your ministers—not mine. J I lead by slow and mild decay: 'Tis you that interrupt the way. You force the youth in vernal bloom, To seek the Winter of the tomb.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	II
Life left to me, through ev'ry stage, Would pass from infancy to age : Its flame—the Climacteric past, Would in the Socket sink at last; But know, our final hour will come, And WE shall share a common doom : When, in the world's last hurricane, My pennons broad I flap in vain; And you shall ghastly grin and shiver, With not an arrow in your quiver; Then mortals, mortal then no more, Shall to empyreal regions soar: Then TIME shall end—and DEATH shall die,
And MAN quaff Immortality.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
13
THE ANTIQUARY'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
—' Well, I am going, (Jfuncufl said,) As Lawyer Sip approach'd the bed : I'm drawing to the close of life, And, as I've neither child nor wife, I am just turning o'er my will, And wish to add a codicil; For I have sundry treasures rare, Which are not yet recorded there; And, as I soon shall cease to breathe, I wish some relics to bequeath, To those who will their value own When life is past, and I am gone: So take your pen, prepare to write ; And, as I dictate—you indite.—
To my old friend Sir ©DmunU ipiumb,
I leave the Eighth King Harry's Thumb : 'Tis well preserv'd ;—in gold 'tis set, At top and bottom tipp'd with Jet;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And I can prove, by word and date, And other documents of weight, That etromtoelf, for he oft abus'd it, As a Tobacco-stopper us'd it. —And, as my friend shall thus employ This little, antique curious Toy; As he its form must daily see, He '11 think it says—"Remember me."
—To Horace IDactpI, next I give, As soon as I shall cease to live, The Lock of Hair which caused the strife That Pope has painted to the Life. Sailing aloft in Fancy's car, His Muse has changed it to a star;— But I know better—don't reveal it:— I brib'd the Lady's Maid—to steal it: And in that Cabinet it lies, A precious gem to Poet's eyes. But though, as Antiquarian Fare, It will not any value bear ; For not a century has sped, Since it adorn'd a lady's head : Yet to the Muse 'tis ever dear, This Lock the Bard will long revere \ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	15
And thus it is that I bestow it:— 'Cause Horace Dactpl, is a Poet.
I give the Cushion, finely scroll'd, With faded flowers and tarnish'a gold, Whose rich embroidery was plann'd And work'd by anna "Bolepn'a hand ; From which her prayers did Heav'n invoke, Before the Headsman gave the stroke,— To my good maiden cousin Kate, Who loves to be devout in state; So that, hereafter, she'll be seen To say her prayers like any Queen.
The Shuttle-cock, which oft amus'd The ScottiBj) Jffilarp, when accus'd Of treas'nous plots, of many a wile, And did the heavy hours beguile, As within Fotheringay's towers She pass'd the sad and ling'ring hours, I to my Jitlepfjeto ipiapful leave, The Battledore I also give ; For well I know there is but one : Indeed, 'twere best, as could be shewn, That he should play the Fool, alone.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
There's Turpin's bones well put togethe Which many a year withstood the weather, As on a Gibbet's height they hung, And, when the wind blew briskly, swung. 'Tis now a century ago Since this same Knight work'd mickle woe On certain folks that go abroad, And travel on a public road. These he had got a way to frighten, And of their cash and watches lighten; But having ventuv'd on the Mail, His fortune then began to fail. Tyburn, at length, his triumphs ended On Hounslow Heath to be suspended In time the iron chains gave way, And to preserve him from decay, I had the unsettled bones new set, And plac'd them in my Cabinet. This curious Skeleton I leave, If he will my bequest receive, To my Friend &II*0op, who, as Mayor, Will one day fill the City Chair : And such a paunch he doth unfold, As largest barrow could not hold. This Legacy I do commend, In the true spirit of a Friend ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	I
That it may this good lesson tell, To one I've known so long—so well.— " Though you for years, that Carcase line, " Though ev'ry day on dainties dine: " And crack your jokes, and drink your wine.
" Though you're so fat—you'll one day see
" Yourself, good Sir, as thin as me; " And, all your joyous banquets past, " A shape, like mine, you'll have at last."
—A Bull's Horn full six feet in measure, A unique thing—a perfect treasure, Nam'd, by Antiquarians sage, The growth of a far distant age; Nay, 'tis by many understood, To've been a Horn before the flood.
—I give it-but I can't proceed,
Howe'er important be the deed,
I'm so fatigu'd and full of pain :-
To-morrow, Hatoper, call again. —In reading, some relief I '11 seek, For 'tis a trouble now to speak. —Holla ! holla there !—much I fear My voice will never make them hear :18	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Nor have I strength to pull the bell, To call up Jonathan, to tell That Hatoper has been so nimble, As to slip on Queen Mary's thimble: And he has managed to purloin A velvet purse and all its coin; So wrought, and of such ancient date, That they are ten times worth their weight. Most surely, at to-morrow's meeting, A Constable shall give him greeting. Indeed, I wish that I were hurl'd, At once, out of this pilf'ring world.
I can't stay long, and if 'twere now-'
—When Deatf) appear'd, and made his Bow. Old JFungua lifted up his eye, And saw the Grisly Spectre nigh. ' I'm not alarm'd, (he calmly said,) I do not your approach upbraid: But look not quite so fierce, I pray, At least, for one half-hour stay. —A thing or two, I wish to know, So tell me now, before I go :— You liv'd in fam'd Deucalion's time, When this old world was in its prime. Say, in those days did men grow bolder, And o'er top us by head and shoulder?ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	19
Or did those antiquated people Grow up as tall as modern steeple ? Besides, my 3I2Htil does not make out, It is a matter still of doubt, Whether I '11 be like Roman burn'd Or to Egyptian mummy turn'd : For I'm determin'd, thou Barbarian ! When dead—to be an antiquarian.' 4 Prepare, (cried ©eat!},) I cannot stay, I have ten thousand kill'd to-day; And when your small concern is o'er, I shall slay full ten thousand more.'
' I know, dread Sir, (it was replied) That you are seldom satisfied. If so impatient, kill the Cat : She has nine lives—remember that; At least, nine minutes you '11 employ, Her, and her nine lives to destroy; And while Grimalkin you bespatter, I'll settle this important matter.' But ©eat!) pois'd high the fatal dart, And aim'd it at the old man's heart. ' I '11 not be burned then,' jfunuus cries, ' I '11 be a Mummy—yes-' and dies.20	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE LAST CHASE
When the fair morn begins to break, From their short sleep the Hunters wake : In hope elate, in spirits gay, They to the woodlands haste away; And, as they chearful pass along, Make the hills echo with their song.
SONG
No life's like the Hunters', no joy like the sport,
No pleasures like those of the Chase: We envy not such as are dangling at Court
For some fid-faddle pension or place. To the summit of grandeur the proud man may rise,
The miser may revel in wealth : While the Chase we pursue, gives constant supplies
Of good-fellowship, gladness and health.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
21
As the stout pack we follow each trouble of life
Is forgotten and left far behind : We know not the names of Contention and Strife,
And cast all our cares to the wind. We breathe the keen air, mount the hill, sink the dale,
While the swift-flying game is in view : Nor think, for a moment, our pleasures can fail, And laugh at old Death and his crew.
But Death, who happen'd to be there, For that same Power is ev'rywhere, Ordered his palfry to be brought; When He, th' unconscious Hunters sought; And, as they carroll'd on their way The expected triumphs of the day, The wily Archer lurk'd unseen, To watch them through the forest green; And waited for the appointed place To wield his dart, and shew his face.
But now behold the sport begin !— To the loud Hunters' cheering din— To the hounds' animating cry The hills and dales and woods reply.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Deer, unharbour'd from the brake, Does, from his sides, the dew-drops shake And, springing from his leafy bed, Tosses aloft his branchy head : Makes a short, fearful pause, to hear The dreadful concert in his rear: Then, o'er the lawn he swiftly flies, And to the distant covert hies. Poor fugitive, he flies in vain, Or through the wood, or o'er the plain; Shoots down the steep, or skims the vale; For still the alarming sounds prevail. The cunning pack, to Nature true, With certain steps his flight pursue. As the scent more familiar grows, With livelier force their ardor glows : The Hunters cheer along the glade, And vocal is the Sylvan shade. On some high brow he turns to view, As his sides pant, the clam'rous crew : Now joins the herd, where late he reign'd, And all a monarch's rights maintain'd; But when they see him press'd with woe No more their former Lord they know ; But from his danger quickly fly, Or drive him to his destiny.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	23
He now, half-spent, regains the wood, Or plunges in the running flood : Each brake he tries, and traces o'er Those haunts he knew so well before, Where he had led the herd to graze In better times, and happier days; When Peace beam'd o'er the Sylvan reign, Nor hounds nor horns disturb'd the plain. What shall he do, or whither fly;— His strength is gone—the foe is nigh : He lifts his weary limbs with pain, That scarce their tott'ring load sustain. One effort more in vain he tries,— The hounds o'ertake him—and he dies. The horns breathe forth the plaintive strain, Whose notes proclaim—'The deer is slain.'
Death follow'd on his courser pale, Up the steep hill, or through the dale ; But, 'till the fatal hour drew nigh, He veil'd himself from ev'ry eye. 'Twas then his horrid shape appear'd, And his shrill voice the Hunters heard : With his fell dart he points the way, Th'astonish'd Hunters all obey;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Nor can they stop the Courser's speed, Nor can they shun the deadly deed ; But follow, with impetuous force, The potent Phantom's mortal course
Down the steep cliff.-The Chase is o'er-
The Hunters fall—to rise no more.
I
Thus 'tis with man : whate'er his views, YVhate'er the game that he pursues ; Whether he seeks th' Imperial sway, Whose sceptre myriads obey; Or strives to place the glitt'ring plume Of martial glory on his tomb ; Or, to attain the golden store, Does distant seas and realms explore; Courts ev'ry toil, and thinks it sweet To eat the bread, the careful eat; Or yields to Passion's stormy power, Or basks in Virtue's sunshine hour :— Whether the Mausoleums rise, Whose pinnacles assail the skies, And to far distant times proclaim The honour of a Patriot's name :— What though the Cypress' mournful shade Darkens the spot where Beauty's laid ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	25
Or the clear verdure of the sod Protects the Peasant's last abode ; Still Fate pursues—still mortals fly, The chase continues till they die.— Howe'er they live, where'er they fall, Death—Mighty Hunter—earths them all!ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE STATESMAN
It is not wealth, it is not power Can give to Life a ling'ring hour: When Death commands, whose potent sway All creatures that have life obey, Monarchs must lay their sceptres down, And yield the splendour of a crown ; For ever quit the suppliant crowd, And change the purple for a shroud : To-day, the victor laurels bloom, To-morrow—wither on the tomb ; Ambition, from its tow'ring height, Sinks to the shades of endless night : The Miser counts his treasure o'er, Then goes to rest—to wake no more. When ebbing Life begins to fail The rosy cheek of youth grows pale; Dimm'd is the lustre of the eye, And set the teeth of ivory. What, though we reach the heights of Fame, Or boast of Honour's proudest name :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	2J
What, though the minstrel pleasures wait With tuneful accents at our gate; Though to Parnassian height we soar, Or dive profound in Learning's lore, Fate hovers o'er Life's varied throng, And dust to dust concludes the song. 'Tis then, that Vice appall'd, dismay'd, At Death's impenetrable shade, Would give its all, if that could save, From the deep horrors of the grave. 'Tis then, that Virtue rides sublime Above the misty scenes of Time : 'Tis then, the sainted spirit flies To happier climes, and purer skies.
' Statesman, awake thee from the dream Of boundless wealth, of power supreme : For know, proud man ! that I am come To call thee to thy destin'd home : To bid thee quit thy gorgeous state, And yield thee to the will of Fate.'
Thus whisper'd Death, as he was seen To peep behind the gilded screen, With all the well-bred etiquette Claim'd by a great man's Cabinet.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Statesman shudder'd with affright When he beheld th'unwelcome sprite : But, soon recovering, thus address'd, The Fears and Wishes of his breast.
' I know thee well; and that 'tis vain To strive thy purpose to restrain, By any pow'r that Time can give : But still it is my wish to live, And when my reasons I impart, You may, perhaps, withdraw your dart. So that you fill your murd'rous hour, It boots not whether men in pow'r, Or their vile Lacquies are your prey: When dead—no better we than they. For once, dread Sir, the great man spare, And take the rogue behind his chair: Nay, I would thank you, as you're able, To sweep those Messieurs from the table For, in their bosoms may be found Things that were better under ground. If I'm to live, 'twere just as well That there should be no tales to tell; Besides, if you will deign to hear, I '11 to your int'rest make it clearENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	29
That, if you bring me to my end, You'll lose a very useful Friend.
Money, that forms the potent bribe For the world's mercenary tribe, From North to South, from East to West, Man's cherish'd and most welcome guest ; Whose hope doth ev'ry heart pervade, Of Time the universal Trade; Though lov'd while Life retains its breath, Cannot arrest the hand of Death. Did I the mines of Chili hold, Or rivers rich in flowing gold, The glitt'ring offer would be vain : You would the splendid boon disdain. Here am I sending off supplies,	\
To purchase Friends and quicken Spies; }-But Death I cannot subsidize.	)
A nation's treasures I controul, Of an Exchequer's wealth the soul; But 'tis not by such petty dealing I can awake your nobler feeling: To your Ambition I apply To speak these words—" Thou shalt not die : " I'll check the purpose of my spear, " And leave you to a future year."ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Since I have held the scales of power, From the first moment to this hour. My Policy's commanding word Unsheath'd the necessary sword; And Battle, by my councils led, Beholds the bleeding heaps of dead. I've check'd th' ignoble cry of Peace, And thus your gloomy realms increase; While daily Mausoleums rise As altars for your sacrifice. Strike me—and some weak, timid fool, May, by mischance, be call'd to rule : Who will not dare to mount the car, And call a Nation's sons to war. Your banquet is th'embattled plain, There the prime glories of your reign. —Vain is, I know, the loaded coffer : War is the bribe I have to offer.
Like all, whom Fortune has made great, I wish to keep th'important seat; Nay, I confess, it is my plan T' enjoy the good things while I can, And much I strive to shape my station To the good wishes of the nation :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	31
Nor do I want the proper tools To baffle knaves and govern fools. I well know how to suit the case To please his Lordship, or his Grace. A title here, a pension there, A ribband, or a velvet chair: A taper wand, or some such thing, Will most men to my purpose bring. The views of my aspiring soul Have not yet reach'd the wish'd for goal. Much added greatness I've in view, And many a stately thing to do : Nor have I yet enroll'd my name In the bright register of Fame : Nor are my schemes for public glory Matur'd to shine in future story. The world well knows I've labour'd hard, Nor yet obtain'd my fair reward.
—To you each secret I reveal:-
The patent has not pass'd the seal,
Which a new-titled name prepares
For me, and my ennobled heirs.
I also mean to build a college
For the increase of useful knowledge.
My well-weigh'd plans, my various schemes
Are not, believe me, idle dreams;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And, 'twere a pity thus to spoil The blessings of my patriot toil: For Power and Wealth, well understood, Have such vast means of doing good. Then let me stay, till some disaster Tells me to quit my Royal Master; Or, till I'm forc'd, by Party Rage, From off the Ministerial Stage; And when my state and power forsake me, I 11 thank you, then, to come and take me. /
' I '11 take you now !'—the Speclre said.
He spoke :—the fatal jav'lin sped.-
—The Statesman's number'd with the dead.-ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	33
TOM HIGGINS
How few, alas, are to be found In this world's ever-varying round, Who, to their real interest true, Keep that thing, Common Sense, in view. How many, by their passions led, By some fallacious phantom fed With airy hope and empty dream, Run on through Life from scheme to scheme; And though they shun the shoals of ruin, Though Fortune smiles on all they're doing, Yet find, at last, their time misspent, As they have never found Content. Though Power and Wealth may be obtain'd, It follows not that they have gain'd The chearful heart, th' approving hour Which far outweigh both wealth and power. That Sense which suits the means to ends, And keeps our deeds and conscience friends, Though sometimes caught in Folly's snare, Fails not the error to repair. vol. 1.—cENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
It may not make us rich, 'tis true, Nor deal out Pomp and Retinue: But when it gives food, cloaths and fire, Reason will little more require ; And, when Time brings us to the last, Sheds not a tear on what is past.
Tom Higgins was a Bricklayer's Lad, 'Twas the profession of his Dad; And soon he learn'd, with ready art, To make the trowel play its part; The lofty ladder would ascend, A chimney, or a roof to mend : To do his duty was his plan, As he grew up to be a man. What though he labour'd all day long, He cheer'd his labours with a song; And carrol'd forth his tunes so sweet, That people listen'd in the street. Whatever was the time of day, Somewhat he had to sing or say : Whate'er he did, where'er he went, His words and looks bespoke content; But though he seem'd devoid of art, Tom was a knowing one at heart;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And, taught by oeconomic sagesj He always sav'd one half his wages. Nor did he cease to nurse the notion That industry would gain promotion ; That, aided by mechanic skill, 'Twould tempt Dame Fortune to his will. His hopes were by such fancies cheer'd: For, looking round him, it appear'd That men, no better than himself, Had gain'd in time large stores of pelf; That Bricklayers, Masons and Surveyors, Had turn'd to Aldermen and Mayors. At length, Tom chang'd his course of life Engag'd in trade, and took a wife. By a good character he won Papa's consent to be his son ; While, by his tunefulness and laughter, He gain'd the favour of the daughter. Now he no longer was content To raise a simple battlement; No longer anxious for the gain Of laying brick-work in a drain : A more important line he sought: Houses he jointly built, and bought; Nay, he had somehow learn'd to waste The gay man's wealth in works of taste;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
So, that when sixty years had spread Their hoary honours on his head, As many thousand pounds were known, In good Bank-stock, to be his own. —But Tom, who as his wealth increas'd Might give, but ne'er refus'd a feast, Had swell'd his well-lin'd belly out, So that he scarce could move about; And one day as he sat and sigh'd O'er his protuberance—'twas replied By his kind Spouse, his mind to ease, In some such arguments as these.
' My dearest dear, you well must know, That 'tis, at least, five years ago, Since I have urg'd you to forbear This tiresome life of toil and care. Rich beyond what we wish to spend, Why strive for more, my good old friend ? We have no sons who want our aid, To furnish them the means of trade; We have no daughters to demand A tempting fortune at our hand: Besides, I ask—who are we here? We move but in a common sphere.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	37
Let us to House and Lands retire, When I a Lady—you a 'Squire, May in that fair condition live, Which money, sure, was made to give.'
'Twere needless now, to stop and state The progress of this kind debate : Where good sense, and good humour meet, Contention's short—Compliance sweet. He yielded soon to her desire, To house and lands they both retire: -A Lady she—and he a 'Squire. All things arrang'd, the coach-and-four Drove from the Town's deserted door; And, with due speed, convey'd them strait, Just thirty miles from Hyde-Park gate. When they arriv'd, the village crowd View'd the new 'Squire, and humbly bow'd. He, smiling, bore his weight along, And humm'd the burden of a song : When Madam, in more stately pace, Pass'd on with condescending grace. The village bells, in cadence sweet, With many a peal th'arrival greet; While the good Vicar and his Spouse Receive them at the Manor-house.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
For the first week or so, the 'Squire Did nought but chuckle and admire.— The Mansion pleas'd—he hobbled round it Wind-tight, and water-tight, he found it: So well dispos'd in every line, It might have been his own design. But, he car'd not for fragrant flowers, Or rippling brooks or rosy bowers ; And for the trees, so finely grown, He only wish'd to cut them down. But soon, alas, he found it true, That he had nothing now to do. To eat and drink and smoke and sleep, Were all the pleasures he could reap ; In short, he soon began to tire Of being turn'd into a 'Squire. There was no club where folks might prate Of passing things, and mend the state : No public feasts, where loyal souls Might speechify o'er flowing bowls. To him it was a perfect labour To pay a visit to a neighbour. Indeed, so bulky was he grown, That he weigh'd five-and-twenty stone ; And long had lost the active power To mount into an upper floor:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	39
So that, when Madam chose to roam, She left him slumbering at home.
At length, wheel'd forth in easy chair, His sole delight was to repair To a small, shaded Inn, that stood Contiguous to the Turnpike-road : There he would eat, and drink and smoke, And with the merry Curate joke : For, though so chang'd in form and feature, He still retain'd his pleasant nature : And, as he took the brimming glass, Was pleas'd to see the coaches pass : Nor did he hesitate to own He envied those which went to town, -And long'd to be at Islington. ' Nay, there I '11 go once more,' he said, ' But that won't be till I am dead : ' For wheresoe'er fat Tom shall die, ' At Islington his bones shall lie. ' There, there, when I was young and poor, ' I smok'd my pipe at Ale-house door: ' And now, nor can I Fortune blame, ' When old and rich I do the same; 1 And all the good that pass'd between, ' Will be as if it ne'er had been.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' But still, I trust, whene'er it ends, ' Death and Tom Higgins will be friends.'
He spoke, and strait a gentle sleep Did o'er his yielding senses creep. The pipe's last, ling'ring whiff was o'er, The hand could hold the tube no more; -It fell, unheeded, on the floor. Death then appear'd, with gentle tread; Just shew'd his dart, and whisp'ring said, 1 Spirits, to your protection take him :— ' For nothing in this world can wake him.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
41
THE SHIPWRECK
How proud the boast, that warlike glory Fills such a page in British story; And, from old England's early date, Blazon'd her fame, and made her great; When the stern Henries bravely fought; When the brave Edwards sternly sought, On martial plains, well-earn'd renown, And with the laurel deck'd their crown. But after many an age was o'er New glories rose unknown before; And the brave Britons made the sea A scene of equal victory. Still as th' exulting pen records, In grateful phrase and glowing words, The fame that crowns the British brave, Or in the field or on the wave, In accents sad it mourns its slain Who feed the deep or strew the plain.
The word is given, the Lapwing sails, With joyful shouts and fav'ring gales:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Vessel, trimm'd in warlike pride, Dances upon the rolling tide : In a few hours it sees no more The white cliffs of Britannia's shore. To Biscay's bay their course they steer, And dread no threat'ning perils near; For Britons never danger see When they behold an enemy. Nor had they, yielding to the wind, Left, for three days, the coast behind, When lo, a stranger sail appears :— The sight each sailor's bosom cheers; For soon they hope to join the cry, So often heard, of Victory, But lo, a furious storm arose, More terrible than any foes. Borne rapidly before the blast, The rolling clouds the day o'ercast: The Ocean curls, the winds arise, And a deep gloom o'erwhelms the skies. The boist'rous squall the canvas tears; The lightning's forky flash appears. Fierce, and more fierce the tempest blew The waves with foam the deck bedew. Now rising high, now sinking low, The billows in succession flow;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And, when the Sun withdraws his light, New horrors wait upon the night. No glimm'ring ray is seen around, And moon and stars in shade are drown'd. No more is view'd the neighb'ring land ;— The ship denies the helm's command: Onward she wildly drives: the prow Plunges into the depths below ; Then, boldly rising, seems to fly, As if she dar'd assault the sky ; When, 'mid the Ocean's horrid roar, She dashes on the fatal shore; And rocking now, from side to side, Through op'ning chasms drinks the tide.
The light returns, but 'tis to shew The dismal scene of hopeless woe: The rising Sun, behind a cloud Shrinks, as afraid to view the flood, Where fierce and warring tempests reign As if 'twould ne'er be calm again. The hopeless crew for mercy crave, As they behold their wat'ry grave. Some cling about the floating mast, Some on the pointed crags are cast, There struggle till they breathe their last.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Others, on mountain billows tost, Brave ev'ry danger—and are lost. Two of the gallant crew alone, Who on the rocky coast were thrown, Surviv'd, in anguish deep, to mourn That they had 'scap'd life's briny bourn; While their sad eyes behold around, The wreck—the dying—and the drown'd. All-bruis'd, exhausted, faint and weak, The shelter of a rock they seek; There sit them down to rest; but there, Instead of hope, they find despair. A savage wildness mark'd the place : No signs were there, the eye could trace, That foot of man had ever trod The dreary, desolate abode. It was a spot, where nought could thrive: Where nothing that had life could live. Impending rocks the place surround, And form a bold, impervious bound, Where the aspiring eagle's flight Alone can reach the tow'ring height: Beneath, the foaming billows roar And ceaseless lash the craggy shore. There the brave boatswain, and his mate, Thus talk'd o'er their untimely fate.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	45
Boatswain
' We have, my Boy, long sail'd together, In fair, in foul, in every weather. At Aboukir, we join'd the cry Of Nelson's glorious victory; And, on Trafalgar's splendid day, We saw the British flag display Its triumphs, on th'astonish'd Main, O'er the best hopes of France and Spain. Or when the gales but gently blew, With some delightful shore in view ; And when the Moon's pale, silv'ry light Gave its mild beauties to the night, We have in social converse join'd, And talk'd of those we left behind ; Or careless chaunted forth the stave :— The Ocean is the Sailor's Grave. But now the waves the Lapwing swallow, And we, old Joe, must quickly follow. From this same Cove, there's no retreating : The cliffs are high, the waves are beating; There's nothing here to cut and carve; And faith, I'd rather drown than starve. The next tide bears us from the shore, And then our voyage will be o'er: We both shall sink, to rise no more;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And with our gallant messmates sleep, All in the bosom of the deep. Whether a shot should lay us low, Or the sharp weapon's fatal blow ; Or driven on the rocky coast, Our ship is wreck'd and all is lost; We rest beneath the stormy wave :— The Ocean is the Sailor's Grave : And e'er the Sun deserts the sky, There, my good fellow, we shall lie. 'Tis not the way I'd chuse—but still, We must submit to his high will Who sits aloft; and he knows best The Haven where we ought to rest.'
Joe
' If as you say, things must be so, 'Tis vain to make complaints, you know Though cast beneath this lofty rock, I think of Mary, at the Dock. I feel the sinking at my heart When she and I were forc'd to part: For when she wept upon the shore, I thought I ne'er should see her more—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
I somehow fancied, that 'twere vain To hope I should return again. Alas, dear girl, she ne'er will know What is become of faithful Joe : For not a soul will live to tell The sad disaster that befell The Lapwing ; who, the other day, Left Plymouth Sound so trim and gay. Though without shelter from the storm, And starv'd with cold, my heart is warm Nor from its course will ever vary, While it can beat, and think on Mary. But since my ev'ry hope is o'er, And I shall see dear Moll no more; Come, Death, and ease me of my pain, Oh plunge me in the stormy main: Hear my last prayer, and be my friend, And let my life and sufFrings end.'
He spoke : and lo ! before him sat The summon'd Messenger of Fate. ' Ah ! thou art there; (the Seaman said), I know thee well—but who's afraid ? I fear'd thee not, when, at my gun, I've seen the mischief thou hast done,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Upon the deck, from helm to prow; And, faith, I do not fear thee now; But yield me to thy friendly power, And welcome this my final hour.' —Death wav'd his arm :—with furious shock, The billows dash'd against the rock ; Then, with returning force, they bore The helpless victims from the shore: There sinking, 'neath the foaming wave— The Sailors found—the Sailor's Grave.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	49
THE VIRAGO
What is the richest boon in life ? I say, a fond and faithful wife; Whose form is fair, whose temper's cool, Who never wants to play the fool: Who knows, and who performs her duty, Nor thinks, because she's born a beauty, That, from her youth till she grows old, She may both domineer and scold. —O happy he ! whose wedded life Ne'er knew domestic feud or strife; Who, from the partner of his heart, Ne'er heard the word that could impart A keen reproach, a painful thought; Who, with her marriage portion, brought A far more precious gem than e'er The neck adorns, or decks the hair; Which shines so bright in all degrees;— The never-failing wish to please.
Not so the Fair One of the story Which this bold page now lays before you. vol. 1.—d50	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Mistress Pengethly was a Lady Who long ago had pass'd her hey-day: A spoil'd and only daughter she Of a proud Dame of Family, Who was, if you would take her word, The twentieth Cousin of a Lord. Her husband also, when he died, Had left her his whole stock of pride; For, having been High-sheriff, he Became, poor man, as proud as she: But as for wealth, a mod'rate share Remain'd for Wife and Female Heir. Horses and hounds, and jolly doing, Had almost brought the 'Squire to ruin; When, to escape this dire disgrace, He clos'd, one night, his mortal race.
The house, the mortgag'd lands were sold, Madam and Miss no more behold The liv'ried train obedient wait Behind their chair, or at their gate; Compell'd, but not content, to own A Villa in a Country Town ; Whose household state alone display'd A curly foot-boy and a maid :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	51
Where nought of finery was seen But a Veranda, pink and green; While humble neighbours as they pass, Admire the drap'ry, through the glass, Whose folds in wide luxuriance spread, With fringe and tassels blue and red. Here they deplor'd their hapless fate, Their lowly fall and humbled state: Chang'd the Barouche and four bright bays
For, now-and-then, an hired chaise: From the world exil'd and the ton, In their small house they liv'd alone, -Almost unseen, and quite unknown ; And, which is no uncommon lot, By all their former friends forgot. But it has been observ'd by men, Who wrote it with a knowing pen, That Pride, whatever ill o'ertakes us, Is the last feeling that forsakes us; And, beat in every other part, Still keeps the fortress of the heart. Thus, to the Vicar's humble wife, They'd talk of fashionable life, And number up, among their cousins, Ladies and Duchesses by dozens;52	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Would quite surprize her with the story Of all their former days of glory; And then, in pride, return again To some uneasy, cheerless strain— ' My daughter, who, in shape and feature, ' Is a bright Paragon of Nature: ' Form'd in the highest ranks to shine, ' I say it, though the girl is mine, ' Yet is she doom'd to pass her hour, ' Like some unheeded, beauteous flower ' That never is expos'd to view, ' And fades away where first it grew. ' Augusta sings, but no one hears her; ' Augusta plays, but no one cheers her; ' Augusta smiles, but no one sees :— ' We might as well be shrubs and trees ! ' Such is our dull, inactive state, ' We little more than vegetate. ' What do we see in this poor town ? ' Scarce any faces but our own; ' Unless, a rare and lucky chance, ' Of trav'ller gay we catch a glance.'
Dear Mistress Goodly, who had heard Her husband preach the sacred word,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	53
That doth the voice of comfort speak To those who, with devotion, seek In heav'nly mercy the relief That's sure to heal our mortal grief; Would say 'twas wisdom to submit To what the Powers above thought fit; And Patience taught in humble phrase, With cheering hope of better days : That Happiness doth not depend Upon the wealth we have to spend; That oft, the rich, with all their store, Are not so happy as the poor; That soon or late pale Death will come To call them to one common Home; And then, the great event will rest, Not on the rich, but on the best. —Thus when her Sermon she had done, Had curtsied, and was fairly gone, She furnish'd both Mamma and Daughter With an whole evening full of laughter. —But, to be brief—these clouds were soon Converted to an Honey Moon.
'Tis oft the case that birth decay'd Affects to scorn the Sons of Trade;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And yet, at length, will join the train Of City Dames in Mincing Lane : Augusta too forgot her pride, And sunk into a Merchant's Bride.
It happen'd, just about this time, That, as the year was in its prime, Mr. Pengethly travell'd down To strut about his native Town: —He was a Tradesman of renown :— When waggish Cupid, from his quiver Drew forth a dart and pierc'd his liver; Or, in his breast, 'tis much the same, Augusta's charms rais'd such a flame ; So fierce it burn'd that, from her eye, The sentence beam'd to live or die. What, though her fortune was but small, Her Mother said—'twas none at all: Because she thought the enamour'd Cit Would take it out in charms and wit; For Love had quench'd his wish for pelf;— The treasure was Augusta's self. He sought no more; the point was carried, And John Pengethly soon was married. The bells ne'er ceas'd throughout the day; The Bridegroom ne'er was seen so gay.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	55
The Bride appear'd with blushing grace, Cover'd with muslin, silk and lace. The Banquet follow'd—and the Ball:— John drew his purse and paid for all. At length his town acquaintance greet The married pair in Fenchurch Street. He smil'd and smirk'd, but many thought He had not done the thing he ought; And e'er three months had said adieu, Why, he began to think so too. The Lady was both young and pretty, But then she did not like the City. She lov'd expence, and he was saving; She was for ev'ry pleasure craving; And his great object was to sow His money, and to see it grow. She, whose soft words and modest charms Fill'd his fond bosom with alarms, When in the Country first he lov'd;— In Town a fierce Virago prov'd. In short, as we may well suppose, They now were friends, and then were foes. John's face was sometimes seen to bleed ; 'Twas a bad razor did the deed:— Though chatt'ring folks and loving friends Would say—'twas Madam's fingers ends.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
He in his bus'ness sought relief, And getting money sooth'd his grief; He found the bargain he had made In marriage, was a losing trade : But his experience did suggest,— Of a bad bargain make the best. All have their common cares in life, And he had got a scolding wife: Though, in the matrimonial firm, 'Tis Death alone dissolves the term ; Or something that's unfit to name, A deadly foe to female fame; And she had never wish'd to rove From the chaste bounds of lawful love. —He felt with pride his word was good, That, on firm base, his credit stood; In ev'ry mart he could command The richest stores of ev'ry land; And this with patience made him bear The burthen of domestic care. At home, 'twas true, a secret smile From Molly could that care beguile, And he would give a squeeze or more To Molly when she op'd the door. She knew his rap, and took good care, With nimble step, to meet him there.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Now, as one night, he cheerless sat With his cross-rib in bick'ring chat, The Watchman cried—past twelve o'clock, When the door rattled with a knock; And Molly enter'd, pale with fear— ' There's one who wants my Mistress here 4 But such a figure, Ma'am, that, sure, ' Your eyes will ne'er the sight endure.' DEATH enter'd as the damsel spoke, Pengethly trembled—Madam shook ; Away the Shape his Victim bore; And, as he dragg'd her from the door, She rav'd and threaten'd, kick'd and swore : Then call'd the Watch :—but soon the riot Was heard no more—and all was quiet. Pengethly follow'd to the gate, Submissive to the will of Fate. ' Farewell, (he cried) my dearest dear!— ' As I no more shall see you here, ' To my fond wish it may be given, ' That we shall meet again in Heaven; ' And since your daily clamours cease, ' On earth I hope to live in peace.— ' DEATH, far away, my cares hath carried. ' Molly,-to-morrow we'll be marriedENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE GLUTTON
Among those vices which the Law Does not controul or keep in awe, Which look not to the grave intent Of any Act of Parliament; Are subject to no other rule Than what is taught in Reason's school But, straying from her general plan, Degrade the character of Man; Among them all, who can descry A vice more mean than Gluttony ? Of any groveling slave of sense, Not one can claim so small pretence To that indulgence which the wise Allow to human frailties, As the inglorious, beastly sinner, Whose only object is—a dinner. The Miser, who heaps up his store, May prove a Treasurer for the poor; And, by his avarice, prepare The funds by which his gen'rous heirENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	$Q
Can, with unbounded grace, impart The kindness of a feeling heart. —The thoughtless, but the jovial souls, Who pleasure find in flowing bowls, Enjoy the day, or pass the nights In Bacchanalian delights :— Though their excesses do not give The happiness for which we live : Yet, round their table mirth prevails, And Humour laughs, though Reason fails.
Scourge me the man who dares to say The belly claims superior sway, And, in the various scale of sense, Can boast a fair pre-eminence; Whose pleasure lies in luscious meats, And reasons only while he eats; On whom the subject never palls Of poult'rers' shops and butchers' stalls; Who scents no odours so bewitching, As sav'ry steams from well-fed kitchen; Who does with real rev'rence look On the perfections of a Cook; Whose gloating eyes view every dish, Of boil'd, and roast, of soup and fish,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Of callipash and fatten'd haunch, Till he has fill'd his bloated paunch; And then the rich ragouts restore The stomach, till it holds no more. —For whom does he prepare the feast, And daily play the greedy beast? Nature resents the sensual show, And, sick'ning, often tells him so : She leaves his rav'nous maw to share His banquets with the Scavenger.
Such was Sir Gabriel Lamprey, Knight, Who thought that a sharp appetite, With a good dinner, form'd a blessing, Of all life's goods, most worth possessing. Wealthy he was—and when Lord Mayor, Did Honour to the City chair : But he had long outliv'd the taste For any pleasure, but a feast: And thus, as folks were us'd to say, He pass'd each regulated day. —The chicken-broth was brought at nine,— He then arose to ham and wine; And, with a philosophic air, Decided on the Bill of Fare.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	61
He took his bitters just at two, To give his appetite its cue; The coach then drew up to the door, And gave him exercise till four. At five the steady bell inform'd That dinner's ready to be storm'd. But a sad day arriv'd at last, When, as he view'd the rich repast, DEATH enter'd, to proclaim a fast; And freely took an empty chair Which happen'd to be standing there. Up starts the Knight, with hideous grin, The napkin dangling from his chin : The Cook, with apprehension big, Drops from his hands the roasted pig; The women scream'd, the dishes chatter'd ; The floor with sauce was all bespatter'd; When the Knight thought 'twere best be civil,
And hold the candle to the Devil. ' Do lay that ugly dart aside : ' A knife and fork shall be supplied. ' Come, change your glass for one of mine, ' That shall appear brimfull of wine. ' Perhaps you're hungry, and may feel ' A hankering to make a meal;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
So without compliment or words, Partake of what the house affords.' Avaunt,' cried Death, 'no more ado I m come to make a meal of you.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE RECRUIT
SERJEANT
Let the drum's inviting sound Call the brave, gallant youth around, From the wood-side and the vale, And shaded hamlet in the dale : Let them listen to my story, Of War's renown—of Death and Glory. By me, your noble King commands His loyal people's hearts and hands. Here, my fine Lads, th' inspiring word; And change your sickles for the sword. Let coward spirits meanly toil, To sow the seed or plough the soil: Let others reap the ripen'd grain; Harvests of honour he'll obtain, Who seeks the pointed spear to wield, And gather Fame in tented Field. Let the drum's enliv'ning sound Inspire the village heroes round.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' I'm tir'd,' said Tom, 'of this same home, And oft have long'd abroad to roam. I like the rattle of the drum ; And, Serjeant, to enlist I'm come. Nay, while its noise the women fright, Egad, it makes me long to fight; And all, within the hundred, know, That I can give a sturdy blow. Ay, and, at cudgel-playing, I Have often gain'd the victory.
0	let me to the wars be led !—
1	long to break a Frenchman's head. So Master Serjeant, thus I say;
I '11 follow where you lead the way. I to the battle wish to go, To serve my King and fight the foe. Such is my word ; so here's my hand ; And I '11 obey as you command.'
' Take not my Son,' the Father cried; The Mother wept, the Sister sigh'd : ' And Thomas, is it thus you prove,' Molly exclaim'd, 'your plighted love.' ' Let not,' he said, ' your sorrows flow, I'm listed, Girl, and I must go, Whether it pleases you, or no.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
But, Molly, when you see me come, From foreign lands, victorious home, It then will be my honest pride, To make my Love a Soldier's bride.'
' Dry up your tears,' the Serjeant said, ' He now pursues a nobler trade. How will your warm affections burn, To see your lover soon return; The white plume nodding on his crest; The stamp of honour on his breast ; Strutting along in martial pride, The sabre dangling by his side. He'll then be worthy of your charms, A Hero then will fill your arms.'
' If I were sure he would again,' Says Molly, ' view his native plain; I'd smile and, through the ling'ring year, His absence would with patience bear. But much I fear some fatal blow Will lay my much-lov'd Thomas low. The Sexton says he knows you well, And 'tis an idle tale you tell: That your recruits are always slain, And never see their homes again.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Such are the fears that fill my breast, That ne'er will leave my heart at rest:
Such the sad burthen of my story.'-
—' Then 'twill, sweet Girl, be Death and Glory !'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	67
THE MAIDEN LADIES
Wonders will never cease, 'tis said, And wond'ring is an ancient trade. But it turn'd out one Winter's night, It was, indeed, a curious sight, Round a warm fire, in that cold weather, That ten old maids had got together: At least, so far they had miscarried, Not one of them had e'er been married. It would be needless to relate, What whimsical, controuling fate, !-Had kept them in this awkward state. J But so it was,—and all the Graces Of vet'ran age had mark'd their faces. But though they long had ceas'd to charm, They still could flourish an alarm, With that same power which does not fail, While Life can furnish out the tale; That instrument so nicely hung In female form, yclep'd a Tongue.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—Miss Stately open'd the Divan, } And thus the conversation ran, J-Upon that Animal call'd Man. J
' I think that Nature never gave The right he boasts of—to enslave The Sex, to whom this title's given— The last and fairest work of Heaven. Yet, from the cradle's wimp'ring hour, Till Fate deprives him of his power, He claims an arbitrary sway, Which woman lives but to obey. And if a female should inherit A just and a becoming spirit; If by her sound, superior sense, She scoffs at his omnipotence, The men exclaim, how fierce and bold
0	what a termagant and scold ! While the good husband who thinks fit As it becomes him, to submit,
And is, at all times, kind and meek, Is stigmatis'd, a Jerry Sneak. ' —I have attain'd, as it appears, The rev'rend age of threescore years, And all that time it is my pride,
1	never wish'd to be a bride :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
I 've liv'd an independent Life Nor e'er would be that thing,—a Wife.
I know not what they mean who tell, That we shall manage apes in Hell; But this I know, that no dull Fool, Or Fashion's Macaroni Tool; No hunting Blade, who, from October To closing March, is ever sober; No wealthy Cit of grov'ling birth, Has made me lead a Hell on earth. —' Hear Lady Formalton relate The pleasures of a marriage state. Money and beauty both she gave To be a noble husband's slave. A Lady then in coach-and-six, But what of that—, she could not fix The fondness of her Lordly Elf, Who thought of nothing but himself. In pride and pomp, and grave display, The solemn years pass'd slow away; With scarce, she says, one merry day; Till, by a Phthisic in his breast, The proud old Peer was sent to rest. Freedom now came to dry the tear, With a good jointure in the rear:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
But soon the brood of children vex her, The boys disturb, the girls perplex her. The one their various whims pursue : The others sing,— Who comes to woo ? The gay young Lord's a dupe at play, And Miss Amelia runs away: While she in this uneasy state, Leaves them to Fortune and to Fate. Such she describes her wedded Life, And oft amid its stately strife, When, bending to its stern decree, Aye, often has she envied Me. Scarce a day vanish'd, but she said, I wish that I were still a Maid.'
' Thoughts,' said Miss Prim, ' more just < true,
I never heard, not e'en from you ; Whose sense and knowledge stand confest, Among the wisest and the best. At cards it is the self-same scene ; Behold the fate of this poor Queen: Vain all the power that she can bring— She yields submissive to the King?
Miss Mustard, with sarcastic smile, Could not such reas'nings reconcile;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	71
And thus the lively Lady spoke, But half in earnest, half in joke.
' This may be true, which I have heard, With so much dignity preferr'd ; But still, I'm ready to suspect That Pride may issue from Neglect; And when we boast of maiden power, The men may say,—The grapes are sour. What is, has been, and e'en will be, "j As long as One and Two make Three, J-Is fixed by Fate and Destiny.	J
Nay, Reason and Religion too, Declare the doctrine to be true; That, from Creation's earliest hour, Superior Man was cloth'd with power; And women, it was thought most fit, As weaker vessels, should submit. We read of Amazons of old, A female nation fierce and bold, Who, when they met the men, would treat 'em, As foes avow'd, and often beat 'em : But, if Historians sage speak true, "j They would for friendly parleys sue, J-And were not quite so chaste as you. JENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—'Tis all fine talk,—but I must own, That I have liv'd so long alone Was not my wish : and, even now, When fifty years have marked my brow, I would, could I command my fate, With pleasure quit this chearless state; Nay even, were it to my sorrow, I would a husband take to-morrow ; And should rejoice, nor think me light, To be a Bride this very night.'
Thus as she spoke, John trembling told, The Visitor they would behold. One clam'rous scream announc'd their fears ; When lo !—the horrid shape appears. Amid the universal squalling, Some sunk in chairs, and some were
sprawling ; And as the Spectre thus display'd His griesly form,—he softly said, ' Lady, I take you at your word, And granted is the suit preferr'd. Tis Fate commands, and I with pride, Embrace Miss Mustard as my Bride. A well-appointed hearse-and-four Attends her pleasure at the door.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The marriage ceremonies wait Her presence at the Church-yard gate : My Lanthern shines with nuptial light; The bells in muffled peal, invite,— And She, shall be,—a Bride to Night.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE QUACK DOCTOR
What is the choicest boon of Heaven, That to frail mortal man is given; To cheer his heart and gild his way Through passing Life's uncertain day ?
Ambition will at once exclaim, Raise me to station and to name: Give me Power and give me State, Content I '11 leave the rest to fate. Pale Avarice, with grasping hand, Will quick reply,—let me command The fountain from whence riches flow : No other joy I seek to know.
Call forth the minstrels, let them play The enchanting music through the day; Let but the sensual spirits wait And ask admittance at my gate; Let but the feast prolong delight, And give a blaze to gloomy night:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	75
Thus let me live till life is o'er, Pleasure proclaims,—I ask no more.
How vain, how impotent the plan That oft is form'd by thoughtless man, His transient, fickle hours to bless, With a false dream of happiness ! —If pain assaults the splendid throne, Does not the scepter'd Monarch groan ? If raging Fever's burning heat Compels the hurried pulse to beat; If the cold Ague shakes the frame, And shudd'ring Limbs its force proclaim;— If the tormented bosom strains With Hectic's agitating pains;— In short, whatever the disease,— Will power, will riches give us ease ? While Pleasure, trembling with affright, From the sick chamber takes its flight.
What then's the choicest boon of Heaven, Which to frail, mortal man is given, To cheer his heart and gild his way Through passing Life's uncertain day ; Superior far to power and wealth ? The answer is at hand ;—'Tis Health.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
O Nymph divine, without thy power, Life cannot know a joyous hour: If thou art absent, what can give, A cheerful thought, a wish to live. Nature must sicken soon and die, Without thy active energy. Where'er you hold your genial reign, The squallid family of pain Take their compell'd, unwilling flight, To the dark realms of dreary night; And grateful vot'ries resume Th' enliven'd eye, the native bloom, Med'cine's thy handmaid, when the sage Experience calls it to assuage The morbid evils that inflame Man's fine-spun, irritable frame;— When Science doth direct the art Of healing to each suffering part; When he, in ^Esculapian School, Well-taught, ne'er deviates from the rule Founded on maxims tried and sure, Which give the fairest hopes of cure.— Such are the steady foes of Death Who oft recall the flitting breath: But though, at length, their art must yield, And to the Tyrant quit the field;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
They oft prolong Life's final date, And check the eager hand of Fate.
Not so the mercenary race, Pretenders ignorant and base, Who live upon the daring lie Of Universal Remedy ;— But yet possess the active sense, By their low arts and impudence, To gull the foolish, who are found In ev'ry quarter to abound : For such th' enquiring eye may greet In the proud square and humble street, Who help to feed, as we may see, These miscreants of Quackery. —Do, for a curious Moment pop Your head into that splendid shop, Where the gilt vases, in a row, Form such a gay and motley show; With labell'd bottles to explain The compounds which they ne'er contain Where Juleps, Anodynes and Pills Are seen prepar'd to cure all ills That do infect the human frame, Whate'er their nature or their name.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—Of this grand shop behold the Master, Who deals in Bolus, Pill and Plaister. See how his Visage he disposes, As his hands measure out the doses; While his round paunch most truly tells, He never takes the Drugs he sells. Sometimes he cures the astonish'd Elf, By leaving Nature to herself: Sometimes, by Chance, he doth appease The raging torments of disease; Or, with the drug's enliv'ning power, Plays on the Fancy's gloomy hour. These in ev'ry form proclaim The healing wonders of his name, While he conceals, with subtle art, The slaughters that deserve a Cart. —'Twere well were we to turn an ear, And listen to what's passing there.—
' Doctor, I'm old, and full of ills, ' And, for Apothecary's bills, ' Alas, I've paid them o'er and o'er, ' And am resolv'd to pay no more.—'
—' And so, at last, you 're come to me, ' Just like the rest,—but where's my fee ?'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	79
4 There, take it, Sir,—I'm eighty-five, 4 And scarce can keep myself alive.'
1 You cough, I see, and are opprest, 4 Your breathing too affects your breast; 4 Your sleep's disturb'd throughout the night, 4 And you have lost your appetite : 4 Your limbs are weak, your nerves unstrung, 4 And you are now no longer young. 4 Such is your.case, and I believe, • 'Twill yield to this Carminative. 4 Among my Med'cines 'tis the best; 4 The Printed Bill explains the rest. ' But if it should not ease your pain, 1 Why then—why, you must come again.'
' But I love ale:—must I forsake it?'—
—4 No,—'tis a balmy fluid,—take it.'
—4 Will Gin and Water do me harm ?'—
—4'Twill do you good; but take it warm.'—
—4 My case you clearly understand : 4 The ablest Doctor in the land !—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—' I really am so very weak, That my tongue faulters as I speak : Yes, Doctor, I can hardly bring My voice to tell my suffering.'—
—' Your languid state your looks express Madam, I feel for your distress. Do not exert yourself at present: These Cordial Drops are very pleasant: And they, I trust, will soon restore The strength, whose absence you deplore. Though pale your cheek, and though
your eye Has lost its brisk vivacity, With which it has been us'd to dart Its beams to each surrounding heart; I doubt not I shall soon bestow, To the wan face its wonted glow; And e'er a dozen weeks expire, Those eyes will gain their wonted fire.'
—' But I am not so young you know, As I was forty years ago.'—
' —Forty ? for shame;—it may be seen, 'Tis true, that you are not eighteen:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	81
' You 're ill, but when your looks revive, ' I then shall see you thirty-five. 4 Not more, I'm sure,—and that's an age, ' When Beauty still may hearts engage.'—
—' Doctor, your cheering words impart ' Delight to my desponding heart. ' O what a wretched life I've led ! 1 I wonder that I am not dead! ' 'Tis now, I think, three years and more ' Since daily to my wearied door, ' Some great Physician's chariot roll'd, ' Who for his Med'cine took my gold. ' One told me that my nerves must feel ' The rigid power of bracing steel: ' Another, that the tepid wave ' Should my tense, outstretch'd fibres lave. ' When the warm, heating Med'cines fail'd, ' The cooling System then prevail'd. ' To Bath and Tunbridge I was sent; ' But vain was the experiment, ' To Brighton also I have been, ' Quaff'd the salt wave and walk'd the Stein; ' But, after all the trials past, ' You see me here half-dead at last.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Those Cordial Drops, have giv'n me ease, Another dose, Sir, if you please : And, as for Med'cines I am come, I think I '11 take a bottle home.'
—1 You can't do better:—when you 're low, They soon will make your spirits flow. These Pills within your chamber keep, They are decided friends to sleep. And, at your meals, instead of wine, Take this digestive Anodyne. Should you invigoration want, Employ this fine Corroborant. These curious Panaceas will, If well applied, cure ev'ry ill. So take them home; and read the Bill, Which with my signature at top, Explains the Med'cines of my Shop. On these you may have firm reliance; So set the College at defiance. And should they not your health restore, ' You now know where to send for more.'—
-' John, call the Carriage to the door.'
' The Lady having said Adieu, ' I now, Sir, can attend to you.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	83
' So Mr. Alderman, relate, ' What ails you, and each symptom state.'—
—' Doctor, I've heard that you're renown'd ' By dint of making sick men sound; ' And I am in no common fright ' Lest I should lose my appetite: ' For neither Fish, nor Flesh, nor Stew ' Can tempt me as they us'd to do. ' But first you '11 let me know for certain ' Who is the rogue behind the curtain. ' He looks as he were made of stone, ' With nought for cheeks and chin but bone. ' His eyes are dismal, hollow sockets, ' As empty as a Poet's pockets. ' I see what he's about:—why zounds, ' I '11 take no drugs that fellow pounds. ' I'd better far, to save my bacon, ' Go back to those I have forsaken. ' And look once more for healing knowledge, ' To the grave Sages of the College. ' They '11 do their best, and I won't thwart 'em;
' I then shall die,—secundum artem; ' And not be finish'd by a Dunce ' Whose Trade's to kill and cure at once.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE SOT
The various ways which Death contrives, To put an end to human Lives, Would, were they told in prose or song, Make out a tale so very long, That few, aye very few, would lend A kind attention to the end : But e're they reach'd the fiftieth line, Would the dull, tedious work resign. 'Tis how men live, not how they die, That stirs up Curiosity. Our thoughts, our spirits we convene To look upon the living scene. The Actor comes, he plays his part, With Comic or with Tragic art; But if 'tis order'd that he dies, We leave him to his obsequies, And the impatient eye expects The hero that shall enter next. But still my subject bids me state, The whims and phantasies of Fate.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	85
For laurell'd Heroes and the brave, Glory oft digs a distant grave, Deep in the blood-besprinkled plain, Cover'd with thousands of the slain, Whose ghastly, mangled forms invite The Vulture to delay his flight. —The scepter'd Monarch yields his crown In state, upon a bed of down ; While Poverty doth oft withdraw From life, upon a bed of straw. Some die with hemp around their gullets, And some from balls—and some from bullets:
But 'Twas the fate of poor Jack Marrow, To breathe his last on a Wheel-barrow.
Jack had a jolly Butcher been, No Market had a better seen : Oft had he led the jovial train, In Leadenhall or Honey Lane; But could a courteous visage put on, Beneath suspended legs of mutton : With frock of blue, and shining face, Would welcome all with sprightly grace; And had a certain leering eye To tempt the passenger to buy.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
He'd glance the knife across the steel, And boast his beef, or vaunt his veal; Talk of lamb's kidnies for a stew, And sweet-breads, what a nice ragout: While shoulders, breasts, and loins and hearts
Flow'd from his tongue, by fits and starts. Nor was this all:—he had the skill To manage weights and scales at will; And, by a certain slight of hand, Could a short ounce or two command. Besides, his tongue was so bewitching To all the maids who rul'd the kitchen, That no complaints were ever heard, Where Marrow's daily Tray appear'd.
At length, advanc'd in years and warm, In added gains, he bought a farm : He lik'd the mansion as he found it, With just a score of acres round it, Where he might fatten sheep, or graze An added ox, for holidays. Nay, sometimes, to keep up the knack, He'd throw a wether on its back And plunge his knife into the throat, To let the stream of Life run out:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	87
Or dress a calf, with knife and steel,
Into each well-known form of Veal.
But what was this, to when the stall
Claim'd ev'ry hour, in Leadenhcill.
—Thus did Jack live a year or two,
But, tir'd of having nought to do,
He sold his cattle great and small,
And thought the Goat was worth them all.
Now this same Goat, I must define,
Was nothing better than a Sign,
That hung suspended in the air
To tell the Country Bill of Fare,
Which Village Alehouse doth provide,
Throughout the day, by highway side:
For it was best to Jack's own thinking
To've done with meat and take to drinking :
So to the Goat, on toping bent,
Or foul or fair, he daily went.
The Curate there his pipe would smoke,
Now moralize, now crack his joke.
The merry Miller would prolong
The evening with a cheerful song ;
And chatt'ring Barber, o'er his ale,
Would catch the curious with a tale :
There the Exciseman, clad with power,
Would dignify the social hour:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The traveling Pedlar, looking wise, Would rail at Taxes and Excise; While Philpot, with a paunch as round As his own butts, would bow profound. Here, Jack by punch and ale subdued, Smil'd always when they both were good. Here he his copious draughts would take, Or smoke, to keep himself awake, Until his loving wife should come, To guide her stamm'ring toper home. Now she was one of those good wives Who ne'er disturb their husband's lives, But yet, without much grief attend The season when those lives may end.
'Twas, as the Village Annals say, One ev'ning in the month of May, When, as Jack Marrow dosing sat, He yielded to the stroke of Fate ; And some confusion spread around When He fell, senseless, to the ground; But Death appear'd—and, on his barrow, Trundled away with poor Jack Marrow. Nor was the party much dismay'd : They plied their jugs, with ' Who's afraid !'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	89
—The Curate, who had, in his day, Beheld so many wheel'd away, Calmly look'd on, nor felt much sorrow, For what would bring him Fees to-morrow. Besides, his Dame had made it known, She wish'd to mend her black silk gown; And the shrewd Parson had in view The power to do it; as he knew That scarfs and hatbands did possess The means of aiding Madam's dress. So he look'd calmly on, when Death Put Master Marrow out of breath. —But the fat Landlord shook his head— ' If that same Gem'man should be dead, I ought to cry—for, to my cost, The best of customers I've lost; And if he don't this bout escape, Egad, I '11 hang the Goat in crape.'— —Thus, let our trade be what it will, Int'rest is apt to sway us still, And he in this world will go down, Who to another yields his own.
But Mrs. Marrow strait appears In all the rage of grief and tears,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
With what's all this? What are you doing?
And where, you Scarecrow, are you going ? —Madam, your Husband's time is come; And, as you see, He's going home. His eyes are now for ever closing— —You lie, you thief, He 's only dosing; And, if you rob me of the rest, I '11 take his wig, for that's his best.— —This instant let your manners mend, Or I '11 the fatal stroke suspend : If you continue thus to scold, I will your widowhood with-hold; A worser evil shall betide you, He shall snore ten more years beside you. And if with me you play the shrew, He still shall live to bury you.— ' —It was my grief, Sir, pray excuse me: Your pardon, Sir, do not refuse me. I feel that I have done amiss; But such a cruel sight as this, So sad, so unexpected too, How could a wife, so fond, so true, Without heart-rending feelings view! And when on such a sight we gaze, Why, Sorrow knows not what it says:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	91
Ah, vain would be the Doctor's skill;
So I submit me to your will.—'
'—Go on before, prepare the way
For this same heavy load of clay:
Discard his wig, and seize his riches:
You now may wear the Dead Man's Breeches.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE HONEY MOON
Of all the Follies that disgrace The progress of the human race, Few call for livelier ridicule, Or more distinctly mark the fool, Than when old age attempts to prove, That still it has the power to love.— It asks not youth, it asks not health, To hoard accumulated wealth : To the last stage of lengthen'd years, The love of gold the Miser cheers; And, on the day he tells fourscore, He still can count his treasures o'er.— While Reason lives, the hoary sage May feel that Wisdom crowns his age ; And, to Life's most protracted hour, He may enjoy the pride of Power. But Nestor1 s self a fool would prove, If he should turn his thoughts to love. When Winter's Form, with trembling pace, Attempts a sprightly, vernal grace,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	93
Or, with a stamm'ring tongue, to tell, He loves so true—he loves so well; Or bids the blushing roses blow Around his temples white with snow; The careless, playful world may smile; But rigid Reason will revile The wand'ring strange from Nature's plan, And see the Ideot in the Man. Bring me the cap that Folly wears, With jingling bells and lengthen'd ears, And "place it on the old man's head Who babbles love, and longs to wed. Youth is the season made for joy; Let Cupid then his power employ; Then all his soft delights improve, While Hymen knits the bands of Love.
Sir Peter had grown old, when Fate Depriv'd him of his ancient mate. She was a chaste and careful wife, Whose temper ne'er engender'd strife: For she had that commanding soul Which kept the Knight in due controul. Between them no one ever heard An unkind phrase, an angry word;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
No one e'er witness'd a dispute; For when she spoke the Knight was mute. Thus pass'd their tranquil life away: When she saidjyes, he ne'er said nay, And would have thought it much amiss, When she said nay, should he say yes. At length this Dame, so good and kind, Left life—and all the world behind. Sir Peter wept o'er his disaster; But, for the wound, he found a plaister; -He felt, at last, that he was Master. But so it is with mortal state; Or high or low, or small or great; Contentment's seldom known to find It's mansion in the human mind; And soon the Knight began to own 'Twas comfortless to live alone; Nay, that to soothe his irksome life, He e'en would take another wife; Would his deep mourning lay aside, Dress himself smart, and get a Bride.
No sooner did this tale resound From place to place the country round, But ev'ry grave and maiden Lady Who had escap'd her sprightly heigh-day,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	95
Began to think she had a chance Of joining in the nuptial dance. The Widows too began to dream Of a new matrimonial scheme; But the old Knight had nought to say To Maidens grave, or Widows gay: He fill'd the neighbourhood with laughter, By fixing on a Lawyer's daughter.
Miss Julia Docket had not seen Of Summer seasons quite nineteen; And 'twas not often that the Spring Of life produced a fairer thing. She had been taught, by rod and rule, The graces of a Boarding-school: Was of a country town the boast, And of each neighb'ring 'Squire the toast. But Julia had contriv'd to part With that same Trinket call'd a Heart, And it was now consign'd to rest Within a gallant Major's breast; Who, at the time, was trav'lling far 'Midst scenes of glory and of war. But Love—when faithful, just and true, Our worldly interest may subdue :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
So, when Sir Peter paid his vows And ask'd her to become his spouse, She star'd awhile—then off she scouted ; Let fall a shower of tears—and pouted. ' My Hero is both brave and true, Whom I love as I ought to do; And when his duty call'd him o'er The Ocean to Iberia's shore, I pledg'd my faith that ne'er shall fail, Till Death concludes the flatt'ring tale. —The doting Knight shall not prevail.'— Thus she exclaim'd, in language bold, When to her wond'ring Sire she told The offer of the Man of Gold.
' Don't be a fool,' old Docket said, ' Nor falsify your father's trade. Does not a stately mansion wait, To ope for you its willing gate. Where wealth invites, and at whose door, You'll see your daily coach-and-four? While all the pleasure gold can buy, A husband's fondness will supply. Will you from Fashion turn aside, And all the charms of titled pride,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	97
Those wants and that distress to prove, Which wait on poverty and love ? For should the vap'ring Major live, 'I Should he the chance of war survive, V Half pay is all he has to give.	J
Besides, to ev'ry eye 'tis clear Sir Peter cannot live a year. Your settlements I shall prepare With a paternal Lawyer's care. I shall employ my cunning skill To shape the am'rous Dotard's will; And then I '11 make a swinging bill: Which, from pure love to you he'll pay Without deduction or delay. Be to his fondling follies blind ; Be to his humours very kind; And take the wealth he'll leave behind._ You then will be, by Fortune's bounty, The richest widow in the county.—' Thus Docket's arguments assail'd His daughter's mind, and they prevail'd.
Julia, at length, consents to wed, But still the Major1 s in her head. Hymen performs his formal part; But still the Majors in her heart.
vol. i.—gENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The wedding o'er, the days are spent In plenteous feasts and merriment: While many a minstrel doth unite In song and dance throughout the night. Sir Peter, us'd to live in quiet, Could not maintain this scene of riot: His health and spirits both were gone, E'er half the Honey Moon had flown, But, thus confin'd to gouty chair, She nurs'd him with assiduous care ; Or tun'd her voice, or touch'd the lute, Or read, as did his fancy suit.
Now, it was one fine afternoon, That quite alone, and dinner done, When, while Sir Peter plied the glass; Julia, to make the moments pass, Ask'd Fashion how she told her story In Ackermatiris Repository, Where every month her whims display, With graceful art, the bright array That decks the Beauties of the day. —Thus, as she read, a creaking sound Call'd her to turn her head around; When Henry at the window stood, All pale, as if by grief subdued.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
She was surpris'd, but did not start.— ' You ever have possess'd my heart,—' She fondly said;—' there, take my hand, And mind, my friend, what I command. Speak not a word,—but give good heed To the short tale I now shall read. That Dotard there, will never hear, For drink has stopp'd his list'ning ear. Nought but the cup his eye can see, Which it now views with ecstacy. Again, I tell you, give good heed To what I am about to read. Attend, while on the Page I look, And hear the Wisdom of the Book.'
' Fair Julia lov'd a soldier brave, ' Who was, or said he was, her slave: ' But, by his country call'd afar, ' To mingle in the toils of War, ' He, by his well-tried honour swore, ' That when the toils of War were o'er, ' Were he preserv'd for joys so sweet, ' He'd lay his laurels at her feet; ' And from the world's gay scenes remove ' To live with Julia and with Love:100 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' That he should feel far greater pride ' To dwell beneath some mountain's side, ' Possess'd of her unrivall'd charms, ' Than keep in awe a world in arms. ' She heard his vows, and gave her heart; ' Nor were her tears the tears of art: ' When her eyes wept his fond adieu, ' Her Words were warm, her Love was true. ' —At length the nations war no more, ' And Henry seeks his native shore. 1 But ah, how great was his despair, ' What Fury did his bosom tear, ' When first the strange account he heard ' That his dear Julia had preferr'd ' Another, impotent and old, • To her young Soldier, brave and bold; ' That Age and Avarice had led ' His Julia to the Marriage Bed. ' —He sought her, and requir'd to know ' What fatal change had work'd his woe. ' What had he done ?—What he should do. ' He knew too well,—for he was true. ' His loss he should not long survive, 1 He soon, alas, should cease to live. ' O that in battle he had died!— ' —That's not my wish, she quick replied:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH IOI
' But e'er you tell your heart to break, ' I beg, my friend, you '11 let me speak.— ' —Think me not false, for I am true: ' Nay, frown not,—yes, to Love and you.
' Reason and Int'rest told me both, ' To this old man to plight my troth. ' I had but little, you had less; ' No brilliant view of happiness : ' And though, within the lowest cot, ' I would have shar'd your humble lot, ' Yet, when the means I could possess ' Which would our future Union bless, ' I gave my hand, th'allotted price, 1 And made myself the sacrifice ' When I was to the Altar led, ' Age and Decrepitude to wed, ' The Old Man's wealth seduc'd me there,
' Which gen'rous Hymen bid me share; ' And all, within a month or two, ' I hope, Brave Boy, to give to you. ' Behold, and see the stroke of Fate 1 Suspended o'er my palsied mate : ' For Death, who fills his goblet high, ' Tells him to drink it, and to die.102 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' —And now, my Henry dear, depart ' With this assurance from my heart.— ' —I married him, by Heaven, 'tis true, ' With all his riches in my view, ' TO see him die-and marry you.—'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 103
THE HUNTER UNKENNELLED
The Sportsmen sat within the Hall, Waiting the Huntsman's jovial call, With active appetite they eat, The solid bounties of the treat; And while their various feats they boast, Some famous Nimrod is the toast. Jack Rover, who would never balk His never-failing love of talk, With many a foul expression swore, That but the very day before, When in full chace, the hounds in play, A cursed Funeral cross'd the way, And he, and his horse Frank, together Leap'd o'er the Hearse, nor touch'd a feather. The party jeer'd,—again he swore, He'd tell it till his life was o'er; That he would boldly state the case, Though Death should stare him in the face; When, as attentive to his call, The Spectre stalk'd across the Hall.104 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—One seiz'd the knife, another swore He ne'er saw such a sight before : Others popp'd off, full helter skelter, And, on the stair-case sought for shelter; While Jack, as quick as he was able, Sunk, slyly, underneath the table. The Phantom drew the drap'ry back, And, in a trice, unkennell'd Jack : When, after crying Tally-ho— He pois'd his dart and gave the blow: Then told his friends to shove Jack Rover Into the Hearse which he leap'd over.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE GOOD MAN, DEATH, AND THE DOCTOR
The Good Man dead, this Lesson gives It is another Angel lives. A Star has set for ever here, To glitter in a brighter sphere. Earth feels the loss when Virtue dies, To triumph in its native skies. The chamber where He breathes his last, Who, glancing o'er the time that's past, Feels no reproach, nor calls on Fate To add a moment to his date ; But, led by smiling Hope, descends To that dark bourne where Sorrow ends; That sacred Chamber far outweighs The brightest scene which Life displays. The rich, the potent, and the brave Must reach, at length, the certain grave : Nor is, alas, the difference great, Between the monumental state,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That decks the mouldering remains Of him who serves and him who reigns ; No more, than that the human clod Rests 'neath a marble or a sod. Emblazon'd with a gilded show, The pomp or fallacy of Woe, The Rich Man fills the sculptur'd tomb; While, where the vernal violets bloom, And rear their heads on church-yard green, The poor man's obsequies are seen.
Each duty done,—the world subdued, How bless'd the Death-bed of the Good.— Whether beneath the dome we lie, Or in the straw-roofd cottage die; At that alarming, awful hour, No mortal envies wealth or power:— But he who, with experience sage, Has reach'd to life's maturer age, And seen and felt the various cares, Which man throughout his progress shares;— He, who has haply learn'd to know Vice as the certain source of Woe, And Virtue as our Heav'n below;— He who considers fleeting Time The passage to some happier clime ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The stream that bears the virtuous o'er, To that eternal, promis'd shore, Where Pain and Sorrow are no more ;— He views the bed from whence the just Is borne to mingle with the dust, As the fix'd verge, on which 'tis given To see the boundaries of Heaven. When the world's landscape fades away, And night beclouds the closing day; When to the heart the blood retreats, And the last pulse but faintly beats; When the soft, whisp'ring sigh is o'er, Which the calm'd breast repeats no more Each duty done,—the world subdu'd,— How blest the Death-bed of the Good !
Eugenio liv'd as man should live; He gave, as generous man should give. Whene'er he smil'd, his smile exprest Th' enliv'ning sunshine of the breast. Whene'er he wept, the willing tear Told Sorrow and Affliction near; And Sorrow never came in vain, When he could mitigate the pain. From his wise mind the counsel flow'd; His hand the needful aid bestow'd :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And rich and poor, who liv'd around, A blessing in his virtues found. The wife his chaste affections knew, And round his plenteous table grew Like olive branches, green and fair, The hopes of his paternal care. Learning he sought with pleasing toil, And sometimes burn'd the midnight oil, In adding to his copious store Of modern and of ancient lore : But still he kept his manners free From the stiff airs of pedantry ; Nor did his fancy ever stray To suit the fashion of the day : Nor did he flippant wit supply, Nor cloak his speech with ribbaldry. His well-weigh'd words were ever fraught With morals sound, and manly thought; While each expression, mild and warm, Was fram'd to counsel, and to charm. He planted the Celestial Flower, Which grows with Life's encreasing hour, But never yet was known to blow Within this vale of tears and woe; It waits through endless years to bloom, Beyond the confines of the tomb ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	109
There forms the everlasting wreath ;— The crown of Virtue after death.
That crown, while health beam'd on his browj
And promis'd length of years below; That crown, which blessed spirits share, Eugenio was call'd to wear : For so it pleas'd the Almighty power Who measures out life's mortal hour, That, e'er his fortieth year was past, The best of men should breathe his last. He piously resigned his breath In all the majesty of Death :— One thought to those he lov'd was given, Then gave his willing soul to Heav'n. For he, who well his time employs, Though snatch'd from life's meridian joys, Feels no reluctance, knows no dread, When Fate conducts him to the dead. —Fly, ye profane—if not, draw near, And what Religion dictates, hear.
' Father ! to whose all-seeing eye ' Our thoughts and actions open lie,I IO	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' Thou know'st, in this afflicting hour, ' We bend before thy sacred power; ' And, taught thy pleasure to obey, ' Bless him who gives and takes away. ' But while thy justice makes us grieve, ' Allow thy mercy to relieve : ' Comfort, we ask, the widow'd heart, ' And, to the rising race impart, ' The noble, and the fond desire ' To share the virtues of their Sire. ' O grant, that they through life may run ' The virtuous course which he hath done; ' And feel, like him, at life's last hour, ' Thy beaming grace,—thy pard'ning power.'
Thus, as the pious Churchman pray'd, The Doctor, in a whisper said, ' My skill in vain its power applies:— ' 'Tis Fate commands; the patient dies. ' No call requires me now to stay: ' I've something else to do than pray. ' I feel my Fee''Then hold it fast,' Said grinning Death,—' for 'tis your last.' The Doctor heard the dreadful sound; The Doctor felt the fatal wound,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	III
And hast'ning through the chamber door, Sunk down, all breathless on the floor,
Ah, never more to rise again.-
—Thus Doctors die like other men.112	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
DEATH AND THE PORTRAIT
By Love conducted Flavia came, (I must not tell her other name) To yield the charms that deck her face, Her Cherub smiles and Angel grace, To the accomplish'd Painter's art, Which to the canvas might impart The fair resemblance of a Maid, Whom Nature had so well array'd. Flavia was seated to receive The Likeness which that art could give, And while, obedient to his will, The pencil mark'd its rapid skill, Enamour'd Florio, who sat by, And trac'd the work with curious eye, By tender love and beauty fir'd, And as the faithful Muse inspir'd, In tuneful accents thus address'd The fond instructions of his breast.—
' Painter, vain's thy utmost art ' To draw the Idol of my heart :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' Thy canvas never can receive ' The varied charms her features give. ' When, grave, she wears the awful grace ' That's seen in regal Juno's face: ' When on her cheeks the smiles appear, ' 'Tis Venus better self is there; c And when she looks with studious eye, ' Another Pallas we descry. ' Painter, thy pencil well may trace ' A Juno's awful, heavenly grace; ' Upon your easel may be seen, ' Chaste Beauty's fair, imperial Queen; ' E'en Wisdom's goddess may appear ' In all her native splendor there : ' But in my breast alone can be ' The perfect image of the Three.'
Thus did the Muse the art defy : The Pencil, eager to reply, Dash'd on the cloth, in colours warm, The semblance of the lovely form. And now her smiling cheeks disclose The lily mingled with the rose; And soon her beaming eyes dispense The soften'd rays of manly sense :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Her graceful form, her auburn hair, All, all the magic power declare. Loose flows the robe upon the ground, And many a Cupid flutters round : The bending branches kindly spread Their verdant beauties o'er her head, And, far beyond, the hills arise Which seem to mingle with the skies. At length, with happiest art array'd, The canvas' spreading form display'd The beauties of the charming maid. The Artist then avow'd his pride, And thus th' enraptur'd Muse replied.-
1 Ah happy Canvas, that dost bear The features of my lovely Fair. Upon thy surface, mild and clear, I see the heavenly form appear, With all the glories of her face, Her winning smiles and gentle grace. —But where's the virtue of her mind, Which makes her of Angelic kind ? Where is the softness of her heart, To pity prone and void of art ? These cannot on thy bosom shine: They 're only to be found in mine.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 115
Thus did the Muse pursue her song; Nor did she do the Painter wrong. Whatever bounties partial art By Genius aided, can impart, She knows are his, whose talents bear The marks of their united care. But frolic Nature will undo The works of Art and Genius too: Her cunning patterns render vain The Painter's toil, the Sculptor's pain. All of the Fair, that Art could give, Does on the glossy canvas live; In touches warm, and colours true, As Reynolds' pencil ever knew.
Thus Florio sung, and Flavia heard The pleasing strain which Love preferr'd, Nor did the Painter's hand refuse The aiding impulse of the Muse.
The Sitting o'er, the pair remove To talk of Taste, and think of Love. And while, as objects strike, they praise The various works on which they gaze; A far, far different form appears, Bent with an heavy load of years :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
For a short time the Figure stood, The image of Decripitude ;—
Then took his seat:-when Art began
To sketch the good, old Alderman, Whose Portrait was to grace the wall Of Cordwainers' or Goldsmiths' Hall. The Painter mark'd the face of Age, And dignified the Civic Sage, With all the force and all the truth, Which had pourtray'd the grace of youth. At length, some yawning fits transpir'd That mark'd the Alderman was tir'd. ' If, my good Sir,' the Painter said, ' You wish the work to be delay'd; ' If, to retire it is your pleasure, ' My pencil waits upon your leisure.'— 11'm in no hurry,' he replied, ' But I slept ill last night: beside, ' To tell the truth, I cannot say ' But I am out of sorts to-day ; ' I have a feel I cannot name; ' A kind of chill throughout my frame, ' That seems to pour on ev'ry part, ' And threatens to approach my heart: ' Now, if you could some cordial give ' It might my languid state relieve.'--ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 117
' That you shall have,' the Artist cried; And soon his pallet laid aside : Then hasten'd with no common speed, To do the hospitable deed.
Scarce had he made this kind retreat, When Death stepp'd in and took his seat: And soon he chang'd the whole design :— The lights which had been seen to shine, Were more than half-obscur'd in shade; And dismal tints the whole pervade : The forehead's moist with mortal dew; The sinking frame appears to view; The head reclines in calm repose; The lips grow pale, the eyelids close; The yielding hand can grasp no more, The crutch lies prostrate on the floor; And, with one stroke, throughout the piece, All animation's made to cease.
—The Painter brings the promis'd aid, And views the change that has been made. He sees the Picture's alter'd state, And owns the master-hand of Fate. ' But why,' he cries, ' should Artists grieve ' When Models die,—if Pictures live ?'118 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE GENEALOGIST
Of all the Passions that infest The mansion of the human breast, Which trouble with continual strife The nobler Charities of Life; That which stirs up the greatest pother, And claims to bear down ev'ry other, Is Pride, which seems to fill more room, More various titles to assume, Than any tenant we can find, Within the chambers of the mind. The Passion, doubtless, is the same, Or in the low or titled name; And may be trac'd up to the sense Of what is call'd Pre-emi?ience> Whether in those who men command, Or such as drive their Four-i?i-Hand In busy Maid who plies the broom, Or Dame of Rank in Drawing-Room. Pride may be found in him who creeps Up chimnies, and those chimnies sweeps;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	119
Or in his breast who day and night
Climbs up Ambition's dizzy height.
But 'tis not here the verse intends
To mark the fair and noble ends
Of Pride, too little understood,
Which is a virtue in the good ;
That dignifies th' exalted state
Of those who are both good and great:
That, sanction'd by right Reason's law,
Keeps the submissive crowd in awe :—
No, 'tis the Pride which makes men mad,
And is a vice among the bad;
Or, bred in Fashion's motley school,
Is a known folly in the fool,
With vain and idle objects fraught,—
That now awakes the moral thought.
Thus, if we look around, 'tis seen
That some are proud of being mean :
Or, boasting of their various feats,
Are even proud of being cheats :—
Are not Attornies ever vain,
Of cunning, tricking, and chicane ?
They 're known to have a certain pride,
In cheating all the world beside.
Some vaunt their mighty power in drinking,
As if 'twere praise to banish thinking.120 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
'Tis said, that Caelia has the trick Of being vain of being sick; And that she feels superior grace In languid looks and pallid face; That she would think herself a fright, And charge it as an act of spite, If Health should give the ruddy hue That decks the cheeks of Moll or Sue.
If Shopkeeper or Artizan Wants to be thought a Gentleman, The Herald, first he humbly pays; And then, in order due, displays } His arms upon a one-horse chaise. J The new-made Noble in the Gout, About his titles makes a rout; Then bids the Carver ply his tool To aggrandise a footing stool With sculptur'd arms, that all may see The splendid show of Heraldry, Which, in his new-born honours great, He treads beneath his hobbling feet; While on his gilded crutch is set The all-ennobling Coronet. Others, who boast an ancient race, And to remotest ages traceENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	121
Of ancestors a noble line, Who through successive ages shine; Whose proud and honourable name By Hist'ry is consign'd to Fame;— Yet, if by Fortune's fatal frown The ancient Fabric tumbles down; If by profuse or vitious taste The vast domains are brought to waste, Lament it as a dire disgrace To mix with an inferior race, Whose wealth would happily restore Their state to what it was before.
Not so the old Lord Freeland, He Fond as he was of Ancestry, And ancient name, could not restrain Of wounded pride the daily pain. When debts unpaid assail'd his gate, And his domains refus'd the weight Of mortgages, whose loud demands Call'd for the sale of house and lands: While the axe menac'd all the wood Which round his noble mansion stood With stately, venerable grace, The boast and grandeur of the place.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' Embarrass'd as I am,' said he, ' I '11 not a noble beggar be, ' If means of honour can be found, ' To heal my fortune's wasting wound. ' Ne'er have I England's rights betray'd ' No bribe my voice has ever paid, 1 Nor will I e'er my name degrade ; ' Nor shall its public fame be lost ' By Pension, or by servile Post.' In short, Lord Freeland had the wit
To wed a very wealthy Cit; And, on his golden wedding-day, All his distresses pass'd away, The bonny and the happy bride Adopts her lordly husband's pride; And is most willing to forget All but the charming Coronet; Nay, with remembrance is at war, Of all things East of Temple Bar; While he calls in the Herald's aid To hide the blot that has been made In the pure flow of ages three, The period of his pedigree. —'Tis all arrang'd in order due, The splendid Roll's expos'd to view:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 123
The Man of Arms a tip-toe stands,
And the fair scene of Blood expands :
A finer Lineage ne'er was drest,
With Ensign, Quartering, and Crest;
True in all forms—and to the letter;
Sir Isaac never sold a better.
The Peer, with much delight explains
The blood that flow'd throughout his veins:
My Lady too began to purr,
That such fine blood belong'd to her.
Thus as th' Escutcheons she survey'd,
Cocking her glass, she gravely said :
But, my dear Lord, are you quite sure,
The Herald has left out the Brewer ?
For 'twould not this fine roll exalt,
To have it smell of Hops and Malt.
My Uncle's name I much revere,
But do not wish to see it here.— V
—Be not alarm'd, my Lady dear; J
His name your eye will never see,
On any branch of our tree.
Remember I Sir Isaac quote:
—' Your Uncle never had a Coat'—
My Lady in a passion flew;— He lies, she cried, and so do you.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
My good old Uncle dress'd as well (A truth his Taylor's bills can tell) As any Lord within the land, And could a little cash command; This I, his Heiress, do declare: You know it too, who 're simp'ring there. The Herald, who may please to scoff, Would wear the cloaths which he cast off.
He talk of dress—a scurvy fellow;— Except, when dress'd like Punchinello, He stalks, as proud as he can go, A shape in some state Puppet show, His cloaths would scarcely tempt a Jew
The shabby bargain to pursue. Or if the parsimonious brute Appears at times in velvet suit, All know 'tis furnish'd from a Pall; His fee at some state Funeral. I '11 drive the sentence down his throat; —That Uncle John ne'er had a Coat.— Cease, Lady dear, cease your alarms;— The Herald meant—a Coat of Arms.— —That's not so bad;—but I can state, That He had Arms upon his Plate.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—My Lady dear, I think 'twere best That we should let the matter rest: Our argument will not prevail; The plate was purchas'd at a Sale ; And the good Knight, a little vain, Thought fit to let the Arms remain. 'Tis my advice,—your anger cease, And let the Herald live in peace. Our Honours will be more secure To sink the Bearings of the Brewer.
Thus, while they talk'd the matter o'er, The splendid Roll sinks on the floor; And lo, a sight brimful of fears : — The Herald's gone, and Death appears. His Lordship starts, and shakes, and falls My Lady stares, and screams, and squalls. ' Make not,' said Death, 'this mighty stir; ' You 're now a wealthy Dowager, ' And may, perhaps, for many a year, ' Live on, the Widow of a Peer, ' But 'twere as well to lay aside ' This embryo of human pride. ' Whether from Priam you descend, ' Or your Dad cried—Old chairs to mend; 1 When you are summon'd to your end,126 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' You will not shun the fatal blow; ' And sure, you 're old enough to know, ' That though each varying Pedigree ' Begins with Time,—it ends with Me.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
127
THE CATCHPOLE
Law is, or should the offspring be "J Of Justice and Humanity,	j-
And prove as plain as A, B, C.	J
Should go strait forward on its way, Nor e'er be subject to delay : No crosses should its steps prolong To what is right, or what is wrong. The Law is just, the Law is good, While suffer'd to be understood ; But 'tis the Practice that confounds it, Winding its mystic Nonsense round it; And such fallacious arts possessing, It to a curse converts the blessing.
Practice, the fruit of am'rous sport, In Kings Bench Walks, or Fig-Tree Court; What time Contention did constrain To his embrace the Fiend Chicane; When, drugg'd with pleadings, Justice slept, While Reason saw the deed, and wept.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Then issued forth the Parchment brocd Of Writs, ill-fated brotherhood; Born to entangle and perplex, Their Cradle,—the Attorney's desk : Fi FcCs, Ca Sa's, and all the fry That fill the Catchpole's Diary; Then crabbed Special Pleading comes, With all its Clerks, and all its Bums. O Special Pleading!—what an Art T' enlarge the mind, and mend the heart! O Special Pleading! what a Science To bid all Common Sense defiance, Which not an head can understand, Unless 'tis deck'd with wig and band.
But He, perhaps, is worth the knowing, Who sets all these fine things a-going.
Your foul Attorney is a wretch, That's far inferior to Jack Ketch. —When grave, lamenting Law has done Its justice on some wicked one; That minister performs his part Or on the scaffold, or the cart: Life's the due forfeit of the deed : The Felons hang—the Traitors bleed :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 129
Convicted crimes their fate endure, And life and limb are more secure. —But, 'tis the Pettifogger's art, With practis'd craft, and flinty heart, With Fictions, Quirks, and tardy Pleas, To aid th'accumulating Fees. He lifts his head at others' ruin, Nor fears to profit by undoing : Of his whole Life the great intent Is to perplex and circumvent; He guides his keen, voracious sense, With all the zeal of impudence; And pledges it a just vocation To quicken by Procrastination. With the vile Catchpole at his heels, Think you the Pettifogger feels For aught, but how the Suit proceeds ? Nay, he will mock the heart that bleeds. He idly jokes, or pertly prates O'er the distress he meditates; And cheers, with looks alert and gay, The blood-hound to his destin'd prey. Will he not smile when Knavery gains The pelf which Honesty disdains? Think you he frowns when Rascals thrive, And Virtue struggles hard to live?130 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
What's it to him though orphans mourn, Though husbands from their wives are torn, Though houseless children, turn'd abroad, Ask alms, or pilfer on the road, So that low-born Contention reigns ; The Daemon that rewards his pains. Such Caitiffs vile will risk their souls In cheating honest men and fools, Had I the pow'r, as I've the will, My patriot wishes to fulfil; Justice at length should fully meet 'em, And with the Laws of Turkey greet 'em : To such as these I'd give no quarter, But pound the rascals in a mortar.1
To cure these evils Redesdale came, An ever venerated name; Who, for his labours to improve The rights of Justice, and remove, With wise reform, the cruel power That prey'd on Freedom's rightful hour, And save Misfortune from the thralls Which dwell within the Prison walls,
1 The Lawyers in Turkey, in certain cases of criminality, suffer death in this manner.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	I
Deserves as well the sculptur'd stone As e'en the laurell'd Wellington. —The one, amid the Fields of War, Chain'd Fortune to his rapid car, And to blest Britain's cherish'd name, Adds a resplendent wreath of Fame :— —The other forms his well-wrought plan, To aid the civil rights of Man ; And through his country to increase, The blessings of domestic Peace.
But 'twill appear, in every view, As the Muse doth her tale pursue, Tho' much is done—there's much to do.
Honest Tom Frolicsome was known At ev'ry Coffee-house in Town. No one more free from pride or art, Or e'er could boast a warmer heart: He never saw a luckless friend To whom he did not give or lend; Nor e'er was known to be unwilling To share his guinea or his shilling. —It so fell out that one fine day, He met Jack Shiftly in his way ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Who told a melancholy tale, How Lawyers threat, and Duns assail. So Tom, to save him from the paw Of the fell Myrmidojis of Law, Consented kindly to be bound In the vast sum of Twenty pound. Jack, with profound professions, said, ' Within the month it shall be paid.' The month soon pass'd, and it occurr'd To honest Jack to keep his word; But, as his debts he could not pay, Why Jack took fright and ran away, And left his friend to be the debtor, With all the threats of Lawyer's letter. But Nathan Shark not only wrote, He paid a visit with the Note; For e'en a rap at any door, Would tell for Six and eight-pence more But friendly Tom, whene'er at home, Was ne'er denied, let who would come. —Good Mr. Shark, says Tom, d 'ye see, This is a trifling sum to me: But it so happens that, just now, My Banker's book is rather low ; And, as the Debt is not my own, A fact to you so clearly known;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And as I'm sure, you won't deny My honour and ability, If till Monday next you wait, Th' indulgence will not be too great: At ten o'clock, you '11 send or come;— I will engage to be at home, When your demand I '11 truly pay, With thanks, for your four days' delay. Shark bow'd and smil'd; for here he saw
There was a loop-hole for the Law. To wait would never make a bill, Nor help the Lawyer's purse to fill; So the next day, as Tom was walking, And with two charming Misses talking, Dick Catchpole did the party meet And, with a Writ, his Honour greet. —You are arrested now you know, \ And so with me you e'en must go, Whether it is your will, or no.	J
This fellow was a perfect brute, A Sheriff's vilest substitute : His wishes base, his purpose dark, Just a fit instrument for Shark. His housebreaking, burglarious Sire, Did before Newgate wall expire;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And his Dam kept a Little-Go : When, for a trifling trick or two, She, by due course of law was sent Safe to Port Jackson, to repent.
Toms ruddy cheeks lost all their blood ; But when he found how matters stood,— Why then, said he, the debt I '11 pay; And let me go, without delay. No, no, said Dick—that will not do ; I know a better thing or two : I can't tell what the costs may be; And, till they're paid,—you '11 rest with me.
So no more words,—for you must come-
—Then send to Shark.—He's not at home: He to a Ven'son feast is gone At Wandsworth, or at Wimbledon : Therefore, come on, and rest in peace, To-morrow you '11 have your release. .
Thus, as he told his stern command, A griesly Spectre's fleshless hand His shoulder touch'd:—It chill'd his blood, And at the sight he trembling stood. —You long have ow'd, the Phantom said, What now must instantly be paid.-ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH I
—O give me Time !-Thou Caitiff Dun,
You know, full well, you gave him none. Your Life's the debt that I am suing;
'Tis the last process, Master Bruin.-
—I '11 put in Bail above;-No, no :
Old Nick shall be your Bail below.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE INSURANCE OFFICE
Self-Interest by some is said, To be the universal trade Which men of ev'ry rank pursue; And if, what some folks say, be true, -Of ev'ry kind of Woman too. For wealth the Sailor ploughs the main, The Merchant thinks of nought but
gain;— We even see superior sense, And all the powers of eloquence, Nay, ev'ry impulse of the breast, Yield to the calls of Interest. But if nor base, nor sordid view Blends with the purpose we pursue, If sage Discretion's cautious art Corrects the errors of the heart; If Prudence o'er the plan presides, And for its ends the means provides, Which, pointed to some rightful use, Shall tranquil Happiness produce :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
'Tis that Self-Int'rest—that Self-Love Which Truth and Virtue must approve And gives perfection to the plan That ought to govern social Man.
How easy then to draw the line Between the motives that combine, To guide the intellectual power Whose regulation rules the hour Which fills the short, uncertain span Allotted to the race of Man.
'Tis Good or Evil.-Passion's flame
That lights to deeds of splendid name, Or the temp'rate warmth benign, Whose rays on humble Virtue shine, Alike, by different means, possess, The varied boon of Happiness.
Beneath her roof domestic Care, The daily labour doth prepare. The Father, anxious to provide For the young Offspring by his side; The Mother, with her infant press'd, In doting fondness, to her breast; The bounteous Man whose open door Receives the wand'rer and the poor;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Hero, in his banner'd car, Smiling amid the scenes of war; The learned, philosophic Sage Who toils to teach a list'ning age, And Piety, that points the way To regions of eternal day; Each has an Int'rest to pursue, And keeps the fav'rite point in view,— The Interest, well understood, In each condition, to be Good ; And that true Happiness to know Which Virtue only can bestow.
But less exalted views, we trust, May still be honest, and be just; And Int'rests, less refin'd, may be Pursu'd with strict propriety. Wealth may be sought without a vice, For Prudence is not Avarice. The gen'rous, independent spirit, Which 'tis a blessing to inherit, In all its energies depends On the right use of means to ends. Nay, 'tis the use of these same tools Distinguishes Wise Men from Fools.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—A reason soon will rise to view,— Why we may add Wise Women too.
Tir'd of a stupid single state, Ned Freeman took a charming mate. He was a man of some degree, Renown'd for hospitality: And all those virtues we admire In him who's dubb'd a Country 'Squire. Health beam'd upon his smiling face ; His cheeks display'd a ruddy grace. His jolly form, and visage, bore The marks of thirty years, or more, And look'd as he might reach threescore. Such was the subject of their chat One evening as this couple sat, And ponder'd o'er, like man and wife, The prospect of their future Life. She was a tender, faithful Spouse, Obedient to her marriage vows ; Nor, like some wives, was fond to boast, That she, at home, could rule the roast. But Mrs. Freeman ne'er would balk Her fancy, when she chose to talk. And then dear Ned, but not through fear, Would hold his tongue, and lend his ear.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
This evening she had much to say, And told it in her usual way.
—I know, my Dear, you love me well, As I am very proud to tell; And to confess, I am most willing, You married me without a shilling : But what disgrace 'twould be, you know, Were you to die and leave me so: Nature, in all her freaks and fun, Has never given us a Son ; And there's no jointure, Sir, for me Without that same Contingency. For your Estate's so bound and tied, So settled and transmogrified, (A thing one scarcely can believe) You've not a thousand pounds to leave. —To you, my Love, I trust in Heav'n, The promise of long life is given, And were I sure 'twas Heaven's intent To take me first, I'd be content: But you, I fear, my dearest Life Are ten years older than your wife. Besides, your spirit in the Field :— To you the boldest Hunters yield;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	I,
And should He not his ardor check, My Ned, perhaps, may break his neck; And then, in that impoverish'd state, Say, what would be your widow's fate ?— I know it well,—I act no part:— Your Widow then would break her heart. Is't not enough that, o'er the grave Of him I lov'd my grief must rave ; But I, to aggravate my cares, Must be dependent on his Heirs ! They hate me now,—illiberal men ! Nor can I think they'd love me then. 'Squire Freeman's Relict must not live On any thing they chuse to give.
—The tears now flow'd, and honest Ned Pinch'd her plump cheek, and kindly said, Weep not yet, Girl, I am not dead: And, if we live another day, The Mail shall bear us on our way, With rapid haste, to London town, Where all you wish for shall be done. To prove how much I love my wife, By Jingo, I '11 insure my Life; And if kind Fate is pleas'd to give Ned Freeman but ten days to live ;—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Then, if he dies ;—why, I '11 be bound You shall be worth ten thousand pound. At length arriv'd,—with spirits light From the refreshments of the night, The parties leave the Two-neck'd Swan, Or for the Globe, or Pelican, When they explain, with all due care, The object of their errand there.
The Doctor's call'd—his eye to throw On the good 'Squire from top to toe. The sage Director stands beside "j In dictatorial pomp and pride, !-Th'important Scrutiny to guide. J —Doctor,—you'll now be pleas'd to scan
The features of that Gentleman; And tell us, whether that round paunch Has been nurs'd up by ham and haunch Say, if that vast protuberance Comes from ill habits, or from chance. Think you that crimson glow is health, Or form'd by drink, or made by stealth. Those legs, which now appear so stout, Have they been tickled by the Gout ?—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—And, Doctor, for your private ear, \ Does not this Country 'Squire appear 'J-Older, at least, by half a year	J
Than what he has been pleased to state ? —May we trust the Certificate ?— To this the Doctor sage agreed:— The Office then was duly feed; And sign'd and seal'd each formal deed. Now Death, who sometimes loves to wait At an Insurance Office gate, To baffle the Accountant's skill And mock the calculating quill, Had just prepar'd his cunning dart To pierce Ned Freeman's tranquil heart :-But lest the stroke should cause dispute, And Lawyers conjure up a Suit, Death was determined to delay Ned's exit to a future day; And the dull moment to amuse, He turn'd—and kill'd a pair of Jews.
Thus was the Husband's life insured, And the Wife's future wealth secur'd. Then to their Inn they went to dine: And while the 'Squire enjoy'd his wine, Madam, thus thought she might impartENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The secret wishes of her heart. ■—Now, my dear Ned, as we 're in Town, And all this happy bus'ness done, We may as well a fortnight stay; Go to Vauxhall—and see a Play ; With every sight which now occurs : The Grand Illustrious Visitors, Princes, and Cossacs, and Lord Mayors, And flaming Fire-works, and Fairs; With all the noble, splendid train, Which London may ne'er see again. It will, no doubt, respect command To've had an Emperor by the hand. How great the boast, 'mong country folk, To say we 've seen old Blucher smoke. How, at my head they '11 stare, when on it They see an Oldenburghian Bonnet. —Hunting, you know, has long been done, And Harvest is not yet begun : Let us the interval employ These recreations to enjoy. 'Squire Freeman, with his heart at ease, Happy and proud his wife to please, To grant her ev'ry wish consented, And smil'd to see her so contented. But Death had not forgot his Fiat—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	145
So bid a Fever set him quiet; And e'er, alas, ten days were past, Honest Ned Freeman breath'd his last. The Doctor call'd, to certify His glowing health, now saw him die.
Thus she, who lately came to Town, With not a doit that was her own, Weeping attends her Husband's hearse, With many a thousand in her purse ; And proves that she's of Wives the best, Who knows her Real Interest.
vol. i.—kENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE SCHOOLMASTER
Hermippus, as the Story's told, A Schoolmaster, in times of old, Is said to have drawn out his days As long, as Horace Walpole says, The Countess Desmond's Annals ran— To twice the common Age of Man, And that his Life did thus extend Beyond what Nature might intend, By the balsamic Breath of those Who did his youthful School compose. And while their Lips new health exhales,
He drove in Learning at their Tails. Whether Ma'am Desmond did employ The Respirations of a Boy, Or blooming Girls, who breath'd perfume To purify her dressing-room, We neither know, nor shall we strive Into those hidden powers to dive J-That kept the Dame so long alive. JENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH I
Nor shall we yet attempt to seek 'em In the old Age of Doctor Greekum. For years he now had reach'd fourscore, And yet he was for adding more; Nay, envied ev'ry rosy boy Who did his learned care employ, Whene'er his Fancy might conceive How long the Child would have to live. But then the Rev'rend Pedant said, It was not that he felt afraid Of Death, or of his future fate, In that unknown and awful state, Which 'twas Religion to believe Would wait on those who cease to live; But that he might secure his fame, Might eternise a learned name; As one more Lustrum 1 would produce A work of such acknowledg'd use— So full of deep, recondite knowledge, That ev'ry School and ev'ry College Would, both in Greek and Latin lays, His Genius and his Learning praise. That finish'd, he would go to bed With joy, among the Honour'd dead.
1 In Classic Authors, it appears, A Lustrum occupies Ivt years.148	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Such were the Doctrines of the Sage, Whene'er he talk'd about his age;— And such, at length, he had to plead, Where mortal reas'nings ne'er succeed : For, as he held the Sov'reign sway Whose rod submissive Boys obey, And look'd around him from his throne, Whose pow'r no subject dare disown, He, nor without emotion, saw A Shape who did that pow'r o'erawe, Who bade him from his seat descend, And on his Visitor attend.
I know you well, the Doctor said, And that your will must be obey'd. The circling hours that in their flight Consume the day and waste the night: The circling hours and varying year, Convince us all is mortal here.1 In Spring the Winter melts away, The Spring is lost in Summer ray; Then Summer dies in Autumn's reign, And slow-pac'd Winter comes again :
1 Immortalia lie speres, monet annus & almum Quoe rapit Hora Diem. Frigora Mitescunt Zephyris, etc.—Hor. Lib. iv. Od. 7.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Again the balmy Spring returns; And the fierce sultry Summer burns : The Autumn fruits again abound, And Time thus makes its yearly round : The Moon renews her silver light— But when we seek the depths of night, Where all the rich, the brave are laid, We 're only ashes and a shade. ■—I know you well, and understand To what you point your fleshless hand : I see you mark my final hour, And bend me to that awful power Which tells me I must soon be laid In the dark Tomb's eternal shade. That I may wish to live, is true, But not that I'm afraid of you ; My only care's to leave behind A stock of Learning for mankind ; Which, had I some few years to live It would be Greekum's pride to give : But, though it is your will, I see, To rob the world of that and me; You might have come without intrusion, Nor caus'd this bustle and confusion. No warning given :—'Tis quite shocking That you should enter without knocking,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
In spite of the Horatian rule That's taught in ev'ry Classic School. Mors Pulsat, which, if I am pat in, The purport of the Poet's Latin ; And which, believe me, I who quote it, Know full as well as him who wrote it, Means that you should some notice give, E'er that you bid us cease to live; That you should knock, at least, and wait, Till some one opes th' unwilling gate.1
Doctor, this Dart will neither speak In Hebrew, Latin, or in Greek; But has a certain Language known In ev'ry age as in our own ; Which ev'ry clime will comprehend Until the world itself shall end. —Now, Horace had no other warning Than you receive this very morning; When eighteen hundred years ago, Of this same dart he felt the blow. Besides, to him by Fate 'twas given, To quit this Life at Fifty-seven ;
Pallida mors cequo pulsat pedte pauperum tabernas, Regumque turres, etc.—HOR. Lib. i. Od. 4.
Pale-fac'd Fate Knocks at the Palace as the Cottage gate.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 15 I
And you, sage Sir, have reach'd Four-score, E'er that your mortal Journey's o'er, I ne'er but once my visit pay;— My errand ne'er allows delay : But Time, you know, with his bald pate, Has long been knocking at your gate.
—But you '11 at least these Urchins spare,
They are my last—my only care.-
—I '11 hurt them not—I '11 only scare 'em : So die—and Mors est Finis rerum. Which, for your Scholars, I '11 translate— Death strikes the Learn'd,—the Little, and the Great.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE COQUETTE
Death is a very Proteus—He, (Where shall we find a simile To give a clear and proper notion Of the Scare-crow's perpetual motion ?) Sometimes, amid the fields of war Grimly rolls on his iron car; Where as he guides its rapid wheel, Thousands his bloody jav'lin feel: Then spreads his pinions to dispense The mortal breath of Pestilence; And where his distant flight is sped, He gluts on regions of the dead. Then he the pois'nous sickle wields, That desolates the fruitful fields, Where meagre millions look aghast, And Famine aids the mortal blast. —Upon the foamy wave he rides, And the resistless whirlwind guides: So fierce the angry torrents pour, So loud the furious billows roar,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	153
That the brave Seaman's cheek grows pale:
Fearless no more, he quits the sail,
And the proud Vessel, that defies
The strength of mortal enemies,
Yields her to the all-powerful blow,
And sinks into the gulph below.
—In the deep caverns of the Earth,
He gives those dire commotions birth;
Which, by their elemental power,
Shake down the Temple and the Tower,
Whose lofty tops approach the skies;
While Man beneath the ruins dies.
—From hence we turn.—To these vast deeds
The common Episode succeeds :
And now we view his hourly plan
Against the general Life of Man.
Here he assumes the Fever's heat;
The blood flows quick, the pulses beat;
There, in the trembling Ague quakes,
When ev'ry chilly member shakes ;
Or in an Asthma heaves the breast,
That night and day refuses rest;
Or racking gout wrapt up in fur,
That suffers not a limb to stir:
And thus his various power employs,
And thus the race of Man destroys.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—But, 'tis not merely by Disease He doth his hourly victims seize; He claims the Passions that impart Their impulse to the Human heart: They barb his dart with hopeless care Or the sharp fury of Despair, Or plant the ling'ring Sorrow there :— Ambition's sleepless lust of power, And Disappointment's madd'ning hour; Or, in the form of raging Pride, He views the gasping Suicide. In the world's cares he plays his part, And, with a Law-suit, breaks a heart; Or makes e'en Pleasure, light and gay, A trap to catch th' incautious prey. Thus Flavia, in her early bloom, Was summon'd to the silent tomb.
Beauty was her's, and ev'ry charm That can the youthful bosom warm : She was the very soul of Pleasure, And Fashion's dear and darling treasure. She waited but the hour to fix A title, and a coach and six : For that she studied ev'ry grace Which aids the shape or decks the face,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
For that arrang'd her auburn hair In ringlets here, in tresses there; How in the dance she best could move, To fan desire, and waken Love. These all her serious thoughts employ; Nor does she guess at any joy, But what she thinks is to be found In the gay world's enchanting round : She never sought Reflection's aid, In Reason's ballance never weigh'd Or good or ill: the law alone That govern'd Flavia was—the Ton. Her sister died ; the tears she shed, Did not lament Corinna dead :— They flow'd that, for a month to come, She was forbid to stir from home; And that for six, her form divine, Black crape and sars'net, should enshrine For she ne'er heard that Beauty's queen Had e'er appear'd in bombazine. She little thought the sable dress That did upon her spirits press, That did the keen vexation stir, Would soon, alas, be worn for her. That she who could the town enslave, Would soon be sleeping in the grave.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
It was past twelve—but not yet one When sober folks to bed were gone, That Flavia, at her Toilette's duty, Receiv'd the aid that's claim'd by Beauty; Expecting Lady Jane to call To go to Lady Mary's Ball: But, as her lovely form receiv'd The robe which Fashion's hand had weav'd, A shape appear'd of such a mien As Flavia's eyes had never seen:— How dare you enter here, she said, And what's this saucy Masquerade;
Who are you ?-Betty, ring the bell.
The Shape reply'd-'Twill be your knell.
I '11 save you from the swelt'ring crowd Form'd by the vain, the gay, the proud, For which your tawdry mind prepares Its fruitless, its coquettish airs. Lady, you now must quit your home, For the cool grotto of a tomb. Be not dismay'd; my gallant dart Will ease the flutt'rings of your heart.
He grinn'd a smile-the jav'lin flies-
When Betty screams-and Flavia dies.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	157
TIME AND DEATH, AND GOODY BARTON A CAUSETTE
Death
Whence come you, and where are you going ?
Time
My old Friend Death!—why, I've been mowing: And here have got a pretty crop Within my common, trundling Shop. Nay, I am hast'ning now to sow :	\
Though, at the Harvest, as you know, V We never shall be call'd to mow.	J
For when that's ripe, my ancient Friend, We shall shake hands, and find an end. In the mean time, I '11 play my part, And try to fill my daily cart: For full or empty I proceed, Or with the living or the dead.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
I trudge on, my old steady pace, But yet I always win the race; And though I'm sober in my gait, You know, I never stop to bait. Let whip, or spur, the courser goad, I shall o'ertake him on the road : For though he paces like the wind, At last, he will be left behind : Wind-gall'd, or spavin'd, or broke-down, He will my better bottom own : And you '11 take care, with all your heart,
To find me Luggage for my Cart. Aye—partners in one common toil, We still shall share the mortal spoil. —But what's your present burden, pray ?
The man's dispos'd to disobey; And while he shows that living face, With me he cannot have a place.—
Death
'Tis true, the Fellow makes a riot: There's one jerk more—and now he's quiet.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	159
—But, Goody Barton, what's this pother ?
Goody Barton
Pray stop the Cart, and take another. For since your Worship's been so good, To snatch old Simon of the Wood, The plague of all the neighbourhood, J Take this old Man ; for, to be free, He long has been a plague to me. He married me at past three score,
When I was blooming twenty-four: And, as I've testimony here, He swore he should not live a year; And now, as true as God's in Heaven, The lying rogue has liv'd eleven : While this brave Soldier, on his sword Has sworn, that he will keep his word.
And he, bedeck'd with martial grace, Has promis'd to supply his place. —Now, take an injur'd woman's part, And shove him into yonder Cart. —I hope my freedom you '11 excuse,— But I shall weep, if you refuse.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH Death
My Goody, 'tis too late to-day, Time's moving on, and will not stay; But be at rest, and save your sorrow The Cart will come again, to-morrow.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE UNDERTAKER AND THE QUACK
I wish I were among the wise, Who can the mind anatomise : Trace to its source, with certain art, Each impulse of the human heart: Of ev'ry action find the cause, By certain and unerring Laws; And thus be qualified to state, Among the Little and the Great, What are the motives that precede Each private, or each public deed; Or for what just or selfish end Man plays the foe, or acts the friend. This, I must own, I don't possess; And, therefore, I could never guess The reason why I see John Bull, "i This day a Wit, the next a Cull; V At times a Sage—and then a Fool. J Examples, I'm afraid, are plenty, But, I must pick out one from twenty.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
It has been said, that Man's best wealth,
And truly said, consists in Health; Yet, what a Spendthrift of the blessing, As if it were not worth possessing. And then the folly is as plain, In means to get it back again. From hence there springs the Quacking race,
Of Medicine the foul disgrace ; And such the folly which prevails, Though angry Reason frowns and rails, That oft th' Empiric cuts and carves, While Science, in a garret starves. What the Disease, or where the wound, For which a cure may not be found ? If you believe the boasted scrawl That's pasted on each public wall. The Undertaker, passing by, Views it with no unwilling eye, Nor doth the idle vaunt upbraid, Which promises increase of trade; And all the Med'cine Shops he sees, He thinks are Banks, for Sextons' fees : A personage to Church-yards known, Whose welfare's blended with his own.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 163
In some old Town—no matter where, Screwtight had long possess'd the care Of building houses for the dead, Either of elm, or oak, or lead, According to the various state Of those who felt the stroke of Fate ; And, during thirty years, that He Had dealt in Man's mortality, He had consign'd to Holy Ground, Half of his country neighbours round ; A jovial Fellow too, was Ned : He'd drink your health, and wish you dead : But, that was in the way of trade, Whose interests he duly weigh'd. He o'er the dead ne'er shed a tear But once, as you shall quickly hear.—
A Doctor, who the art had found, Sometimes, to make a sick man sound ; And also had a cunning trick, As often, to make sound men sick; While his Specific, Sovereign Pill, To cure all ails—would sometimes kill; As he was one day riding home, Death fancied to be frolicsome :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And leaping on the Doctor's hack,
Sat close and snugly, at his back ;
And, as they reach'd Ned Screwtight's door,
Death sneez'd—and Nostrum was no more.
Ned bellow'd, as he view'd the sight,
Which put the street into a fright,
This day I never wish'd to see—
Unlucky for my trade, and me.—
—His wife exclaim'd—what's all this rout?—
Here, bring him in, and lay him out.
What's got into your foolish Nob?
The man is dead—and you've a Job.—
Screwtight hung down his head and sigh'd.
—You foolish woman, he replied—
Old Nostrum, there, stretch'd on the ground,
Was the best friend I ever found.
The good man lies upon his back;
And trade, will now, be very slack.
—How shall we Undertakers thrive
With Doctors who keep folks alive ?
You talk of jobs.-1 swear 'tis true,—
I'd sooner do the job for you.
We've cause to grieve—say what you will;—
For, when Quacks die,—they cease to kill.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE MASQUERADE
' Life is a Farce, and all things show Thus far John Gay,—a pretty Poet. While others, I believe, have said, 'That Life is but a Masquerade.' Some nervous people may conceive it: But hang me, then, if I believe it. These simple questions I would ask, If Honesty e'er wears a mask ? If Piety takes borrow'd airs, And in a Visor says its prayers ? When Charity serenely smiles, Is it a Virtue that beguiles? When Public Men support the cause Of Justice and their Country's Laws, Can I suppose that they are brewing Some Mischief for that Country's ruin ? Or when the Soldier guards the throne As if its power were his own ; Should I consult or Truth or Reason, To fancy there is lurking Treason ?ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Suspicion, or Lord Bacon lies, From Ignorance doth take its rise; And vain would be the various knowledge Which I have gain'd at School and College, If I should have that wretched failing Which ends in Calumny and Railing.
'Twas thus I mus'd, at close of day, As I upon the sofa lay : When Morpheus o'er my senses crept, And all my yielding nature slept. The subject of my waking hour Was carried on by Fancy's power; And my fine Philosophic theme Was now transform'd into a Dream.
I thought, I somehow, was convey'd To join a splendid Masquerade; And that my youthful form was drest In some such mantle, robe or vest, As when Philosophy was gay, Might have bedeck'd old Seneca. —Some rang'd aloft—and some below Compos'd the motley, crowded show. The lights, in parti-colour'd blaze, Darted around their dazzling rays.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Here ev'ry aromatic flower Sweeten'd the gay inviting bower; And there the festive board appear'd, While animating Music cheer'd. With all its bustle, singing, flirting, The scene to me was not diverting; And calling Reason to my aid, "j I thought, I rather loudly said, V Life cannot be a Masquerade. J Thus, as I spoke, a Rev'rend Sage, As he appear'd, bent down with Age, In a commanding, solemn, tone, Made his superior Knowledge known.
Though you assume, with so much care, A grave and Philosophic air; It is your inexperienc'd youth That glosses o'er the real truth : This is the place where you may scan The portraiture of social man : Nor will your time be pass'd in vain, If you attend, while I explain. —See Falstaff's form ;—pray look at him,
So full of ribaldry and whim :ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And yet that paunch shields from the sight, A lean, pale, fawning Hypocrite ; Who feeds upon the daily care Of preaching penitence and prayer: Nay, to his groaning Saints will tell, A Masquerade's the way to Hell. —What think you of that blooming fair Who wears the crescent in her hair, The semblance of a Virgin chaste With Dian's zone around her waist: But little do these emblems suit:— She's an abandon'd Prostitute. —There's a Peruvian Chief, so fine— He seems the Master of a Mine, Whose envied Treas'ry would unfold Ingots of silver and of gold. There's Momus too, that foe to sorrow : —They'll meet in the Gazette to-morrow. —Regard that Beggar, on her crutches: She is a young and lively Duchess, present her alms, and she '11 receive 'em ; Though she has not yet learn'd to give 'em. —That stout, and well-made Pugilist, Who stalks about with well-clench'd fist; And challenges to left and right, Inviting all to come and fight;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH I
With this same very noisy fellow, A squeaking, hunch-back, Punchinello. Though their foul clamours never cease;— At home they 're paid to keep the peace. For so, 'tis order'd by the Fates, They are two Police Magistrates. —Behold Apollo, with his Lyre, And hear him breathe Poetic Fire : But not a couplet is his own.—	^
He is, in truth, the dullest drone,	L
That palms his nonsense on the town, j —See that gay Nymph, with what a bound
She nimbly rises from the ground: Alas, those cheeks, where Health appears In gay disguise, are us'd to tears. What though her arms, with am'rous rant, Give their embrace to each gallant; Next week she bids adieu to men, And goes into the Magdalen. —There's Justice, who expounds the Law And talks about the poor man's cause: Displays the scales, and shows the sword ; But you '11 not take the rascal's word. A Lawyer he, you may rely on't; Who never fails to squeeze a Client.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
—Those Lords set out in Liv'ry gay Of red, and white, and blue, and grey; With tassel'd hats, and shoulders proud, On which the epaulette's bestow'd; Who, thus array'd in Footman's dress, Would every Dame of rank caress; As they salute the passing fair, But shew us what their Fathers were. —You may suppose, deck'd out in pladdie, He is some bonny Highland Laddie, Who his bold, war-like clan can trace Full as far back as Ossian's race, Whose broad sword would attack a cannon No,—he's an offspring of the Shannon. —That busy rogue, with rosy mien, His night-cap white, and apron clean, Who sharps his knife, has just forsook His banking shop, to be a cook. But, in his kitchen-dress, I scan The figure of an Alderman. Oh 'tis a gormandizing sinner, Who's life's chief object is a dinner. —There's the Eighth Henry, all in state, So fat, so haughty, and so great, Who grunts command, and cries out—Ha ! He's a spare member of the Law,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	171
Who, having not the power to kill
A wife he's tired of, at his will,
Is glad at home to read a brief
That bids him strive to hang a thief.
The artful baggage who is pulling
His tinsel'd sleeve, is Anna Bullen :—
By her the Tyrant is not dreaded,
Nor does she fear to be beheaded.
She is a Lady at command,
Who oft has strok'd a Lawyer's band.
—Look at the nymph, so light, so slim,
Array'd in all the flow'ry trim,
In the half-transparent dress
Of some Arcadian Shepherdess :—
With what an air, her crook she waves,
As if to awe her Shepherd slaves,
But not as if she wish'd to keep
In Arcady, a flock of sheep.
Then view the Turk, who now pursues her,
And with such am'rous motions woos her,
Not words alone his passion prove :—
A proffer'd purse proclaims his Love.
Charm'd with her shape, and winning grace,
What would he give, to see her face!
In keen Resentment's ready pride
She turns the painted Mask aside,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And shews that face ;—away he flies, As if some Daemon in disguise, Had aim'd a dagger at his life: 'Twas no such thing, unless a wife, From such an husband to escape, Can show at will some horrid shape. 'Tis but two years, since they were wed, When Love its crimson roses shed Around their couch ; and deathless vows Were breath'd by each enamour'd spouse, But so it was, that, e'er the Sun Had his allotted circuit run, She to the Laws address'd her suit, To save her from the horrid Brute. The Laws were kind to her entreating, And she no longer fears a beating; But, as you see, at large can prance, Clad in a separate maintenance. —That figure there, with look profound, His eye commercing with the ground, Whose beard so long, so white with age, Is the fit Costume of the sage: Would, as it seems, appear to be The essence of Philosophy. But He's no Clerk,—though, arragh burn Pat was brought up as an Attorney;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	173
And now his Fame and Purse encreases, By writing Rhymes instead of Leases ; Of other Authors makes a hash, And thus works up the flimsy trash, That each revolving month is seen To flourish in a Magazine. He meditates how he shall write On all he hears, and sees to-night; That in some Journal, he may say, How this Diversion past away : And be assured, the pond'ring elf Will not omit his pompous self. —Regard that sighing love-sick swain, Who, in the cloak and plume of Spain, f To ev'ry damsel doth complain,	J
And, to the lute's respondent strings, Some tender, am'rous ditty sings: The youth has stole a march from College, Without his surly Father's knowledge; Who, while he sings his am'rous strain, Is fast asleep in Philpot Lane. His pride is to be thought a Poet, And here the Student comes to shew it. Again he sings, 'twere well to hear him; And, if his verse is good, we '11 cheer him.174
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Recitative As I wander through the grove, Thus I sing in praise of Love. Ye powers of Harmony inspire,	'
And aid me as I strike the Lyre. All my heart's secret pulses move, While thus I hail thee—Heavenly Love.
Song
Thee feels the rough Norwegian in his cot, Thick ribb'd with ice and pil'd with snow; The fine-nerv'd Persian, stretch'd in sultry grot:
Feels thee a fiercer sun within him glow: And wild with Love, and flaming with desire, Feeds, self-tormented, feeds, the soft Idalian fire.
To thee the pale-ey'd cloister'd fair With fond devotion fills her eyes ! 'Tis not to Heav'n she wafts her sighs, To thy embower'd altar flies the prayer.
For thee, the azure-ey'd Circassian pines, What time in all her youthful grace, And Beauty's bloom, unto the loath'd embrace Of some proud Sultan, she her charms resigns ; For thee, her cause and end, celestial Love she pines.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	175
Tis not the heat of rash desire, Midst banquets born and floods of madd'ning wine,
When Love's soft passion first appears divine, Nor what the Harlot's glances can inspire; Nor ought perfum'd that breathes the high-born dame,
Whose painted cheeks, Fashion's fond fools admire:
Love's more sublime, a far more sacred fire.
Recitative
Begot by Beauty on the eyes, From the heart produc'd in sighs ; On smiles it feeds, on smiles the pride Of reason, to the brute deny'd. —As I wander through the grove, Thus I sing in praise of Love!—
Well done, my Bard,—your verse is true: You sung it well,—and wrote it true.
—Such is the scene,—and, trust to me, Of Life such is th' Epitome : Whether your years are few or many, You '11 find this is Life's miscellany.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Yes, you '11 remember who display'd The moral of the Masquerade. —I'm like the rest,—my game I play, I wear a mask as well as they: And not a moment I '11 defer To show my real character. —'Twas Death himself, and by my side, He rose in grim and griesly pride. The music ceas'd—the lights burn'd blue, And all was horrid to my view. He pois'd his dart, and danc'd along, With rattling step, amid the throng. Some screamed their fears, and others fled, While the Shape pac'd it o'er the dead. At length, methought, I felt his stroke :— And glad I was, when I awoke.
—Though I'm grown old, I've not forgot The lesson which the Vision taught; And own, though with a sigh or two, Too oft I found—The Vision True.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 177
THE DEATH BLOW
To what does Britain owe her Fame, Her honour, and superior name, With all the splendour of her Glory, In ancient, and in modern story ? Where'er her Colours are unfurl'd, Where'er her war-like Thunder's hurl'd, Or on the Land, or on the Sea, She is the Child of Victory. — Is it to Commerce that she owes The name which all the world bestows ? Wealth may afford its pow'rful aid, But Glory is not gain'd by Trade. Cowards, 'tis true, are sometimes bold, To shield from Force the treasur'd gold ; Nay, half-starv'd Av'rice will be brave From pilf'ring hands his bags to save: But this strange passion of the hour, Derives from Fear its transient power. Say, is it Freedom that inspires The bosom with its early fires ? vol. 1.—mENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That is a motive to incite The embattl'd Phalanx to the fight: But Boys are brave, while in their teens, Before they know what Freedom means No, though the cause I cannot scan, 'Tis Nature forms an Englishman. 'Tis Nature's powers that impart Its courage to the British heart: 'Tis the Home Combats that prepare The Hero for the feats of War. It is the triumphs of the Fist, The contest of the Pugilist, 'Tis these that discipline the Will To future darings, and instill The Spirit that ne'er knows to yield In contests of the tented Field; And teach the Seaman to sustain The bloody conflict of the Main.
How oft we see John Bull delight, To court the fierce, domestic fight, Where no base, angry passions lead "] To murd'rous act, or vengeful deed; Where Honour is the darling Meed : J Tho', sometimes, to reward the bold, The Conq'eror shares the wager'd gold.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	179
From Art, no cov'ring he receives, His arms are those which Nature gives: In native strength, he scorns to wield The Spear, the Broadsword, or the Shield. No helmet glitters on his brow, His brawny breast is bare below. The well-cropt hair his temples crown, Or brown, or fair, and all his own. The blows proceed from well-clench'd fist,
The strong-nerv'd arms those blows resist; And though by some judicious knock, An eye is clos'd—a jaw is broke : Or by some well-directed blows, The blood comes gushing from the nose; And tho' the ribs may change their hue, On being beaten black and blue; Or lifted up, 'twixt earth and Heaven, A fierce cross-buttock may be given To him who, whatsoe'er his science, When strength commands, must yield compliance :
But, when the Battle's lost and won, And all th' enliv'ning Hubbub's done, Peace soon resumes her former reign, And all is harmony again.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
What, tho' the vanquish'd Hero's led Hobbling away to seek his bed, And e'en the Conqueror, opprest With weighty blows, has need of rest; Yet here the short-liv'd fury ends, And the fierce foes are instant friends.
One of our modern Statesmen thought, A man, with various wisdom fraught, That this same pugilistic art Did courage to the mind impart; And that each battle which is seen, 'Mong country folks upon the Green, Where tender smiles might be the prize Of him who clos'd a rival's eyes, Would urge the Youth to seek the fame Which waits upon a Soldier's name. —I am delighted to agree With this great Man's philosophy; Which, to confirm, I've got a story, That tells of Death, as well as Glory.
Harry from Sheffield, Tom from Toivn, Experienc'd Boxers of renown, Had met to fight near Epsom Down,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH l8l
Who the keen Bottle-holders were,
Or who the Champions did prepare,
Were names too crabbed to rehearse
In the soft melody of Verse;
And they who kept the well-fenc'd ring
The Muses do not chuse to sing.
Thither the Amateurs repair,
The noble Fanciers all were there—
And thousands from the country round,
Were seen on the enchanted ground.
Smart Gigs and Curricles appear,
While slow-pac'd Carts bring up the rear.
That glorious day, 'twas who could get
A Horse, or Chaise :—they all were let.
In London, many a sooty Son
Of labour, left his work undone ;
And trudg'd through heat, and dust to see
The Pugilistic Chivalry.
And all the Kiddies were awake,
The Bets to offer, or to take.
The Combatants at length appear'd— A thousand tongues their presence cheer'd. They stripp'd, and to the eager eye, Display'd their strength and symmetry.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Harry, Herculean shape possess'd, While Tom's superior form was dress'd In those proportions that might grace A Figure of Celestial Race 3 Such as the Bards of ancient days Have sung in their immortal Lays, And to the Sculptor might impart The antique beauties of his Art. Both stood erect, in manly tread, An Ajax and a Diomede.
At length, th' impatient Fight began : 'Twas hand to hand and man to man. Some lively sparring first took place, And then a blow on either face. Again for mastery they try, And then a hit on either eye. Each Hero for advantage watches : Tom aim'd a blow which t' other catches; Then, as they both th' occasion seek Strongly to strike, Tom's ruddy cheek Recciv'd a Hit beneath the eye, That made the crimson fluid fly; And the conclusion of the round Is Tom from London on the ground.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	183
A Facer is the term that's us'd, Nor would the Slang have been refus'd But that the Muse, though fond of chime, Capriciously denied a rhyme.
In various way the Betting ran, But Harry was the favourite man.
Now Tom broke through his rival's guard, And of this movement the reward Was, with the quickness of a bullet, To force a hit on Harry's gullet. His ev'ry effort seem'd to tell; And the round clos'd when Harry fell.
Five minutes now had pass'd away, In sparring, and such cautious play, When Harry, all his strength address'd To place a blow on Tommy's breast. The stroke resounded like a drum : It seem'd as if Tom's end was come; But no—for he contriv'd to place An active Hit on Harry's face. And of this round, no more's to tell— Than that they clos'd, and that they fell.184 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Now Harry seiz'd his rival's thighs, And forc'd him from the earth to rise; Then did his utmost vigour strain, To throw him to the earth again ; And, with his own incumbent weight, Oppress'd him, in that helpless state. But, like Antaeus, as we 're told By those who sung in days of old, Tom seem'd, when he had touch'd the ' ground,
With strength augmented, to rebound, Prepar'd to take another round.
A desperate Rally now took place, Tom fix'd a Hit on Harry's face. Harry inflam'd, with anger burn'd, And such a Leveller return'd, So fierce a blow upon the head That Tom fell, and profusely bled. The time was past,—nor could he rise,— His breath heav'd short, clos'd were his eyes : To save him—vain was each endeavour— For he had given in for ever.
Harry, though Victor, look'd aghast, As Tom, from London, breath'd his last;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 185
And vvish'd that he had gain'd the day In some less inauspicious way. I have, he said, the Battle gain'd, And my known character sustain'd ; But, Tom has taken such a banging, 'Tis well if I escape from hanging. All I can say for grief is vain, ^ That I my purpose will maintain, f Never, I swear, to fight again. J
—But Death appear'd !—' Once more, my friend—
' Yes, one Round more, and all will end.'
The Seconds now, were fill'd with dread : Umpires, and Bottle-holders fled : Confusion reign'd throughout the scene, And the Crowds hurried from the Green. The roads were quickly cover'd o'er With Chaise and pair, and Chaise and four. While Curricles, and Gigs display } The rapid fury of their way;	f
And many a downfall grac'd the day. J As Playgame claim'd a flying Bet, His new-built Tilbury was o'erset:ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Lord Gammons Barouche met its fate, In contact with a Turnpike-Gate; And Ned Fly's Gig, that hurried after, Was plung'd into a pond of water : While Tom, to prove the proverb sound, Though he was wetted, was not drown'd. —But, would it not be vain to tell The various chances that befell Horsemen and Footmen, who that day, From Death's dread challenge ran away ? For when the affrighted Crowd was gone,
And Death and Harry were alone, The Spectre hasten'd to propose That they should forthwith come to blows But Harry thought it right to say, ^ As no one's here to see fair play h I '11 try your strength another day : J Besides, I know not how you 're made: I look for substance—you 're a shade—
A bag of bones :-for aught I know,
Old Broughton, from the Shades below: And though alive, I should not dread His power—I war not with the dead. Thus, keeping well his guard, he spoke. When grinning Death put in a stroke,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Which did the short-liv'd round decide, And Sheffield Harry, in his pride, Was laid by Tom from London's side.
'Tis thus the Muse begs leave to close The History of Knock-down blows.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE VISION OF SKULLS
What is Matter, what is Spirit ? What are the powers which they inherit? Or how act they upon each other, To live as Brother should—with Brother? An Answer, clear and full, I should Be glad to offer, if I could. —It is a metaphysic doubt How the mind frisks, and plays about, And sometimes makes a motley riot, When Morpheus keeps the body quiet: And, by no worldly care opprest, Our every sense is laid at rest. No sounds then reach the deafen'd ear, To the clos'd eye no forms appear: Feeling, and Taste, and Smell refuse Alike, their tributary dues. When Sleep has been invok'd to shed Its opiate poppies o'er the head. Then do strange figures oft arise, In various forms, to Fancy's eyes;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Which from the senseless body breaks, And in some wild vagary wakes : Pleas'd, in Night's Umbrage, to display Caricaturas of the day. —Now she o'erlooks the giddy steep, Or sails along the foamy deep : Delighted roams through Fairy bowers, Bedeck'd with never-fading flowers; Or bound in damp and darksome cave, Or struggling with th' impetuous wave. —Now rais'd to pinnacles of Fame, Or damn'd by some inglorious name : Grasping a friend in warm embrace, Who long has run Life's eager race; Or following to the Tomb, with sorrow, Those who will glad the eye to-morrow. Sometimes we wake, from wealth and power,
To Disappointment's painful hour; And from the velvet couch arise, To the flock-bed, where Sorrow lies. From falling rock and fancied billow, We joy to hug a real pillow j And smile, though still the bosom beats,
To find we 're safe between the sheets.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Exterior objects do not give The cause by which such Fancies live: No real subject can be brought To fill the mind, or aid the thought, When all the powers of vision lie Beneath the lids that close the eye. Matter, 'tis plain, as all agree, By any Laws of Sympathy, Cannot, with a suspended sense, To thought or feeling make pretence; And if the Spirit could disown The Body's power, and act alone, It would proceed by sober rule, And never frisk, or play the fool, Nor turn the actions of the day Into Phantasmagoria. —Here then, I close the puzzling theme With my faint notion of a dream; And leave to others to express, If I have made a lucky guess.
'Tis from the senses that the soul Derives its power to controul The scheme of Life: for when they sleep It does not the least order keep,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 191
But moves with its fantastic train, In frolic sportings o'er the brain, And seems to strive, with all its clatter, To separate itself from matter. There are machines which owe the State Of all their movements to a weight: If the weight moves, they all go on Progressive, and their work is done; But, if it stops, they either cease, Or work confusion through the Piece.
The clock struck eight—and, at the stroke,
Sir Simon Bullion groan'd—and 'woke. The groan was follow'd with such sighs As made my Lady ope her eyes: With speed the curtain she undrew, Of her dear Knight to take a view, When she beheld him pale and wan, As if he'd been a murder'd man : But soon her fears he did beguile, When he turn'd round, and seem'd to smile.
4 I've had a dream,' Sir Simon said, ' That still affects my mind with dread;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' And if, my Love, you '11 lend an ear, ' Its frightful hist'ry you shall hear.'— My Lady, having smooth'd the bed, In listening posture plac'd her head : When, having given a Hem, or two, Sir Simon did the Tale pursue. —' I've dream'd I was—I know not where, Nor what strange bus'ness led me there; But, hurried by a crowd, I thought I saw the Portals of a Vault Which some uncommon sight possest, So I went in with all the rest. The spacious Cave which met my view, Was like a Church without a Pew. What I saw there was wond'rous strange: Around the place, in various range, On ev'ry side, above, below, In order due, a dismal show Of sculls innumerable stood; As if the dead from Noah's flood, Had, with successive, constant care, Sent all their Pericraniums there : But, whether moderns, or of yore, They now one solemn visage bore: No difference now discern'd the eye— All grinn'd in grim equality.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 193
' Some of the curious, bustling croud Rush'd back, while others scream'd aloud ; But, while their terrors they betray'd, I did not feel myself afraid : Nay, by my side were two or three, Who seem'd as brave and bold as me: They took their quizzing glasses out, Quite at their ease, and look'd about. —Beneath the deep-roof'd vault there stood A Figure, neither flesh nor blood ; Of horrid shape, and ghastly mien, Such as in pictures I have seen, To represent that foe to breath, Distinguish'd by the name of Death. Around there blaz'd a flaming brand, Which, in the stalking Spectre's hand, Wav'd, to and fro, a meteor bright, That fill'd each dark recess with light.
' I thought, that now I wish'd to know The meaning of this mortal show : So ask'd the guide about the Tomb.— Call it, he said—a Catacomb. But though I do not know the word, I '11 swear 'twas what I thought I heard;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And, after breakfast, I '11 go look If 'tis in Tommy's Spelling-book : And will it not be strange, my Dear, If in the Book it should appear, And that I, sleeping in my Bed, Should dream a word I never read. —The Figure wav'd his torch around, And, in a voice, whose hollow sound J-Did, through the echoing vaults rebound,; He bid us listen, as he read, The awful Hist'ry of the Dead.
' "Those are the Kings who sceptres bore Those Sculls the Crowns Imperial wore. —The Beauties of a former day There grin the passing years away. —These are the heads within whose bone The solemn light of Wisdom shone, And will diffuse, with Science sage, Its radiance o'er each future age. — Beneath this arch, in many a row, Valour displays its dismal show. They were all Knights of great renown Whom Honour cherish'd as its own : Nay, some of them shall tell the story Of what they did for Fame and Glory."ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	195
—The Phantom gave three heads a stroke With his fierce Torch, and thus they spoke. —Said one, " I was a soldier brave, Who found in war an early grave ; But, e'er in Honour's field I died— I slew the Hero by my side." The Hero, by his side, exclaim'd, —" 'Twas my right arm your prowess tam'd : It was my sabre's well-aim'd blow, That laid your glittering figure low." " Ho," cried a third, " pray cease your pother, I saw you both kill one another."— —Thus, though no arms, or legs had they, I thought they threaten'd an affray ; And seem'd, without alarm or dread, To long to play the Loggerhead. I thought their clamour ne'er would cease: But the Torch wav'd, and all was peace. It seem'd most strange the sight I saw, That heads should speak 'gainst Nature's law,
Without a Tongue,—nor move a Jaw.
' I humbly told the Guide, that I Was of the class of Chivalry.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
But that I was a Civic Knight, Who had much rather eat than fight. —Turn and look up, methought he said, At the huge Sculls above your head, Which are so thick, they might defy The balls of any musketry. Those which there meet your curious ken, Belong'd to Knights and Aldermen, Who to the Sword's heroic work Preferr'd the feats of Knife and Fork ; And, as they grin, the Jaws between, Their well-us'd, worn-out teeth are seen.— But all these mortal remnants stood, In such exact similitude, I could not see, with all my care, If any of my friends were there. —I then enquir'd, if no offence, And hop'd 'twas not impertinence, If he might tell whose fleshless face Was to fill up an empty space, Which seem'd so large, that I could swear, It was preserv'd for some Lord Mayor. He wav'd his Torch, and lost in smoke, 'Twas thus I thought the Spectre spoke.— —That place, Sir Simon, is your due : And shortly will be filled by you.—ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	197
I felt his grasp around my neck, While the main bone it seem'd to break: And though I dream'd I was not dead, I thought that I had lost my head. —Then I awoke.—What joy to hear My Dolly snoring in my ear! To view her—what a charming sight! And O, th' unspeakable delight To find, when I could thus behold her, I had a head upon my shoulder.'
My Lady now, with tender grace, Calm'd his alarms in her embrace. ' I like this dream,' she said, ' my dear: 'Tis a good omen—never fear. I'm sure you cannot have forgot, When once you dream'd that you were shot; And then you 'woke, alarm'd and frighted: But three weeks after you were knighted. —I'm quite enchanted ! and forebode The prospect of great future good. Not long a simple Knight you '11 be, And mark my certain Augury : For, in the Spectre's flaming brand, I see the Herald's Bloody Hand ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
And soon shall read in the Gazette— Sir Simon is a Baronet.'
' I hope, that you divine aright,' Replied the half-recover'd Knight: ' But though my tale so lucky seems, ' I'd rather sleep without These Dreams.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
199
THE PORTER'S CHAIR
Of Things to Notions when we see A regular Conformity, (Such was the lesson of my youth) We may suppose we see the Truth. And when the contrary prevails, 'Tis Falshood, with its lying tales : But, the refinement of the day, Has settled it another way. Some men may now, nor do a wrong, Tell ready Falshoods all day long: Nay, 'tis the duty of their place, To utter practis'd Lies with grace; And, that their wants may be supplied, They keep them ready, cut and dried.
John Lockfast had, for years, kept sentry, The Guardian of some Great Man's Entry, Which, not to give offence, we call By the more stylish name of Hall:—200	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Prepar'd, at ev'ry sounding knock, The harrass'd Portal to unlock \ And there or yes—or no—to say, As was the order of the day. —The tenant of an Easy Chair, His Life was free from bustling care: There, when by watchful nights distrest, He could recruit himself with rest. There he would sit and hear the News, With which the liv'ried train amuse Their fellow varlets, and relate As they in due attendance wait; The lucky fortune, or disasters Which happen to their Lords and Masters, And tittle-tattle of the heigh-days Of all the high-bred, tonish Ladies. Nay, in a language of their own, Talk o'er the scandal of the Town. Thus Joh?i, who had, for many a year, Been used the daily Tales to hear, The state domestic, could declare Of ev'ry house in ev'ry square. Nay, such was his experience thought In ev'ry thing which Service taught, That all the shoulder-knots in town Did his superior knowledge own,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 201
Nor fail'd the Porter sage to greet, As Oracle of Harley Street. —He knew the policy that waits On vigilance at Great Men's gates \ And how to gloss the daily lie With a soft, smiling gravity. Of all his bows would give the best To him who was a welcome guest; But could reply, in surly tone, To those he wanted to be gone : In short, he could adapt his face, As well as voice, to ev'ry case; And had the art, the first I know, When to return a Yes—or No.
Nor was this all.—He could unfold The Language which the Knocker told; From Fashion's proud, imperious rap, To the poor Suppliant's humble tap: Whether 'twas Form, or Friendship came, Or disappointed Tradesman's claim : The sons of Frolic, and of Fun, Or the stroke flippant of a Dun. —Besides, John, though he did not know it, Was no mean Casuist,—and I '11 show it.202	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
From living well, and sitting still, And of strong beer a daily fill, With other habits that combine, The props of Life to undermine, By slow degrees, John was, at length Diminish'd, both in health and strength; And, as he one night thought of dying, The thirty years he'd pass'd in lying, Came cross his mind, with the intent To quit his service, and repent. But after a full glass of Gin, He ask'd how it could be a sin, To do what ev'ry Servant did, And what his Lord and Lady bid ? So while he whiff'd th' inspiring smoke, John, to himself, thus thought and spoke.
' I say, what I am told to Say, And 'tis my duty to obey. Nay, I believe it true, that I, When I am lying, do not lie ; For, if I utter Falsehood's words, The Lie's my Lady's or my Lord's; And, though it may not be so civil, I think 'tis they should fear the Devil.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 203
I well remember, t' other day,	\
I heard a rev'rend Prelate say, >-As from my Lord he went away, J I am, indeed, with truth most fervent, Your Lordship's most devoted Servant; And that's a swinging one, I hold it, Though my Lord Archbishop told it. But that is call'd a mere expression, No sin at all, nor wants confession ; And let me ask then, if I'm worse Than him—for using words of course ? Besides, why should I feel alarm For saying what does no one harm? I've heard our Chaplain say, Denying Is not bona fide Lying : At least, that it will be forgiven By ev'ry Law that's made in Heaven.'1
But a most strange event drew nigh, To cut short this Soliloquy. —The clock struck twelve, a gentle knock Bid John the Mansion door unlock : He took a light, and left his chair, To see who ask'd admittance there.
1 Paley's Philosophy, vol. in. p. 184.204 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
A horrid Figure met his eyes.— John instant thought of all his Lies. And struck with fear, aloud he squall'd : Murder, and Fire, and Thieves he bawl'd; Then hobbled off at helter skelter, And in the cellar sought for shelter. —My Lord and Lady were gone out, To some Fandango, Ball, or Rout, And all the upper servants too, As second-table gentry do, Had, to ape their betters gone To a smart party of their own. —The maids upstairs with Tom were sitting;
For he was sick, and they were knitting. They heard the noise ;—Tom, with a grin, Said thieves were somewhere breaking in : Then seiz'd a pistol and a sword, And swore that none should rob my Lord. As Betty shriek'd, said jolly Nell, There are no thieves, I sure can tell: 'Tis that fool John, who, in a dream, Sees some strange thing that makes him scream:
And if down stairs we gently creep, There we shall find him fast asleep.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 205
'Twas but last week that he was found Bawling and sprawling on the ground, >-Swearing he dream'd that he was drown'd. J —They went, and what a sight was there ! Death sitting in the Porter's chair : While some strange bird was heard to squall, And flapp his wings around the Hall. Tom dropp'd the pistol from his hand : Nor could his strength the sword command. Bet shook with fear, nor was she slack, To trace her hurrying footsteps back; While poor, fat Nelly, in her fright, Fell from the stair-case, at the sight. It was a most tremendous fall, As she plung'd headlong to the Hall: Her forehead struck the marble floor:— She heav'd a sigh, and spoke no more.
The Spectre calmly turned around, And saw his victim on the ground: Then grinn'd a smile, and wav'd his dart:— 'Tis done, he said,—and I depart. The door gap'd wide, as he withdrew;— When the Bird shriek'd, and with him flew.
John, though still trembling with affright, Stole up, and view'd the dismal sight.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Death still indeed possest his chair, For Tom had placed poor Nelly there. Said John, I ne'er again will stir, To let in such a Visiter; —And, if I live,—to-morrow morning, I '11 surely give his Lordship warning. —In your warm place, good John remain Be where you will, he '11 come again; Whate'er may be your future lot, Whether in Palace, Hall or Cot, Whene'er his hand salutes our gate, No lie will serve to make him wait : Whene'er he puts us to the trial, The scare-crow will take no denial; For, at the time he's pleas'd to come, We all of us, must be at Home.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE PANTOMIME
Joke, and Fun, and Frisk, and Folly, And ev'ry Foe to Melancholy, With airy step and smiling mien, Fill up the Pantomimic scene. Frolic spirits, light and gay, Chase the ev'ning gloom away : While they their lively whims pursue, What have we with Care to do ?
Tragedy is blood and slaughter :— A Tyrant's wife, or Prince's daughter, With some bold Lover in her train, Who by a rival's hand is slain;— With, right or wrong, a spice of reason To thwart Conspiracy and Treason : A fav'rite Slave, an infant Son, A battle lost, a battle won; Tears, shrieks, a dagger and a bowl, Of Tragic Dramas form the whole.208	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Though, to add horror to the woe, And give the last Scene all its show, It were as well the Stage to spread With a slight sprinkle of the Dead.
The Comic Muse, who in her freaks, With Life's domestic bus'ness seeks To call attention and to please With all man's home varieties, Will sometimes think it not a sin, With Death's grave pers'nage to begin. —But he's not seen :—she thinks it's better To introduce him in a Letter; Or, to create a future laugh, In a Newspaper paragraph. An Uncle rich may be suppos'd, Perhaps in India, to have clos'd His mortal Life, which may produce Plenty of hopes and fears, for use; Turn up a score of odds and ends, Make friends of foes, and foes of friends. Besides, it ought not to be known, What he with all his wealth has done. In the third Act, perhaps, he '11 come At some untoward moment home;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 209
And the whole plot takes its complexion From this unlook'd for resurrection. Alarm and Joy, and Tricks and Lies, With a few snug perplexities ; A subtle Valet, and a Maid, Who are well nurtur'd in their trade, With an outwitted rogue or two, To be expos'd to public view : A song so fond and so complying, In a fine strain, that's all but dying; Or with nice equivoques well stor'd, Which will be sure to be encor'd, Work up the int'rest of the Piece: Then all at once the jarrings cease. They yield to joy, and asking blessing, Some shaking hands, and some caressing ; Till Hymen comes to say ' good bye;— ' I hope you like the Comedy.'
Farce is a comic view of Nature, Caricatur'd in plan and feature;— Nor does the Critic blame the scene If it but robs him of the spleen. The Unities may all give way If it but makes the Audience gay.210	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Vice, Virtue, Folly, Youth and Age,
May form the bus'ness of the Stage;
Sing-song and Dance may join their power
To hasten on the laughing hour.
But Death's too solemn to appear
In all his sad apparel there ;
Unless he lends his dismal show
To form a mockery of woe,
And make a louder laugh succeed,
When Life resuscitates the Dead.
Some may remember well the time But it was in a Pantomime, When Death was seen to play his part, To grin a smile and wield a dart: Now upright in the tomb he stood, Now mantled in a sable hood : Then he would strut, stand still, or sit, And well nigh frighten half the Pit: He next, to follow up the Joke, Would take a pipe and gravely smoke. Pierrot and Pantaloon amaz'd, At the familiar Phantom gaz'd : Who, with his hideous grimaces, Would work up Terror in their faces ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	211
While Columbine with welcome glance, Invites him to the graceful Dance: At length his Frolics make it known— 'Tis Harlequin turn'd Skeleton. But soon the magic strip of wood Restores him all his flesh and blood, And makes the wond'ring children gape At each variety of shape : They almost doubt the astonish'd eyes Which views the tricks his sword supplies. Mountains that touch the clouds are seen To sink into the Ocean green; While on their sides the yielding trees, Transform'd to vessels, plough the seas. By the same metaphysic power The Rock melts to a Rosy Bower 3 The Rosy Bower where Lovers meet, Passes away, and lo, a Street, With all its busy, bustling train, Which cities, rich in trade, contain. That's whirled away, and, in its stead, A stately building rears its head:— But still more strange when mortal man A Lion growls or swims a Swan. So quick the change of human nature To ev'ry form of living creature;212	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That e'en Pythagoras might stare,
Had he been a Spectator there.
—Pierrot and Pantaloon pursue
With all their clumsy retinue;
But vain the toil with which they strive
T' o'ertake the Motly Fugitive;
Till kick'd and cuff'd in ev'ry place,
They 're forc'd at length to yield the chace;
While Harlequin, each danger past,
Enjoys his Columbine at last.
Thus may Death's image aid delight 'Mid the gay scen'ry of the night: But, in the Pantomime of years, 'Tis serious all, when Death appears. For then no grin can Pierrot save; He finds the trap a real grave; Old Pantaloon with all his care, Will cease to be an Actor there. Lurfs magic sword, with all its art, Must yield to Fate's resistless dart; And when Life's closing scene is o'er, The Curtain falls to rise no more.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 213
THE HORSE RACE
i own the Simile is trite, But then it is correctly right; For ev'ry learned Critic knows That on all-fours it glibly goes, When the ever-varying strife That gives activity to Life, Is in its proper time and place, Compar'd to what is call'd a Race. For when we see each high-bred Horse Stretching for Conquest on the Course, What does he but man's toil display Through ev'ry hour of ev'ry day. —But we postpone the moral strain,— And call the Reader to the Plain. Where the assembled croud are met To wrangle, jangle, and to bet.
'Tis not to see the noble Steed Pace o'er the Down with matchless speed ;214 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
'Tis not to view the Rider's art When from the Goal he's call'd to start; Or where the contest may begin, That makes it doubtful who shall win;— 'Tis who, in honourable way, Shall of his neighbour make a prey : For this same curious, motly meeting Is somewhat of a Race for cheating.
Jack Trimbush, in the country bred, To nothing useful turned his head ; Cock-fighting, Racing, and the Games That sober Prudence never names, He long had practis'd, and was able To figure at a Billiard Table. An Uncle left him an estate That was not either small or great; But it was thought to bring him clear, At least a thousand pounds a year;— And, as 'twould be unjust to spare	\
The praise where he can claim a share, r Of that he took especial care.	J
He sav'd what others give in bounty, And though he gambled round the county, 'Twas thought the conscientious sinner, Somehow contriv'd to be a winner.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 215
Now Jack was making to the Post The busy scene of Won and Lost, When to all those he saw around, He cried, ' I offer fifty pound, ' That to yon gambling place I get
4 Before you all.'-Death took the Bet.
The 'Squire's Mare was Merry Joan, And Death rode, Scrambling Skeleton. They started, nor much time they lost Before they reach'd the gambling Host: But e'er they pass'd the betting Pole, Which was the terminating Goal, O'er a blind Fiddler Joan came down ; With fatal force poor Jack was thrown, When a stone, on the verdure laid,	"I
Prov'd harder than the Rider's head. f —Death wav'd aloft his dart, and fled. J
Upon the ground Jack senseless lay, And turn'd the bus'ness of the day : Horses and Jockies were forgot, 'Twas whether He would live or not. Says High-Game, ' I '11 lay five to one, ' And who, among you, answers—Done? ' That with Jack Trimbush 'tis all over, ' And that he never will recover.'216
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Cries Blacklegs, ' Why, I '11 take the Bet, 1 I think that He '11 recover yet, ' But then I must assistance get.' ' I bar all aid,' exclaims the other; ' No Doctor, if He were my Brother: ' If a lancet breathes a vein ' I recall my Bet again.' Such was the language round the Post, Till Trimbush yielded up the Ghost.
The racing o'er, a Party met Neither to gamble nor to bet, But to enjoy the flow of soul Around the full, capacious Bowl. There was, howe'er, a dismal dearth, That evening, of their usual mirth : For Trimbush, and his fractur'd scull, Somehow or other, made them dull; Till thus Sir Jeffrey Graveairs spoke. ' Since we are not dispos'd to joke, ' I, who to-night possess the chair, 1 Call on our Friend the Doctor there, ' To give us, nor will he refuse, ' Some Ditty from his moral Muse. ' 'Twill be a lack and well-a-day, ' Which we to poor Jack's mem'ry pay.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 217
—The Doctor smil'd consent, and soon Began his sentimental tune.
SONG
Nor Humour, nor Wit, I pretend to rehearse, My strain is all moral, and sober my verse ; A subject to suit you, my song shall embrace; I sing of the Jockies in Life's busy race.
Derry down, etc.
The Croud of Mankind in Contention we see, The High and the Low, of ev'ry degree; The King and the Beggar, the weak and the strong,
E'en the blind grope their way, and the lame halt along.
Ambition high mounted on Courser so fair, Who pants with impatience, and snuffs up the air; As he strains for the prize, behold, with a flirt, He falls from his horse, and is laid in the dirt.
Great monarchs contend in destruction and wars, And strive for the Laurels and glory of Mars ; But how oft, as they run through this perilous strife,
This loses his Crown, and that loses his Life.218 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
The Miser now trembling, now sturdy and bold, As he thinks he shall lose, or may add to his gold, While heaping up treasure, he sinks 'neath the toil; And some profligate Spendthrift runs off with the spoil.
The Sage who, in Schools and Academies bred, With store of deep learning has furnish'd his head, If he lets it not forth to embellish mankind, The Dunce and the Blockhead will leave him behind.
The Virgin who full of her smiles and her charms, As she glides smoothly on scatters Love and alarms ; Assisted by Prudence, should hold tight the rein, Or her charms and her beauty will conquer in vain.
Tho' the young boast their strength, and the wealthy their gold; Tho' the Hero looks big 'cause He's valiant and bold;
Tho' Kings wave their sceptres, Death strides on apace,
And sooner or later will finish the Race.
Where Reason directs let us haste on our way, When Discretion commands, let us wisely obey; And though, as we run, we may sometimes be past, We shall certainly win the best prize at the last.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 2ig
Then let not the contests that happen in life, Engender Confusion, Disorder and Strife; Let us run where bright Virtue distributes the prize; Tho' we lose it on earth, 'twill be found in the skies.
Derry down, etc.220 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE DRAM SHOP
A Preacher, I remember well, Whose fashion was blunt truths to tell, Harangu'd his Audience how to shun Old Nick, as round the world he run; And thus the fav'rite haunts defin'd Of the great Enemy of Mankind.
' Avoid the place where the profane ' Their faithless Mysteries maintain ; ' Nor let those mansions be explor'd ' Where the Dice rattles on the board. ' Nor risk your Labour's fair reward ' By shuffling the deceitful Card. ' In haste, pass by the tempting street ' Where the alluring wantons meet; ' For thus, as sure as Evil's evil, ' You '11 meet that Spirit call'd the Devil. ' But above all, as you would shun ' In Life and Death to be undone,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH	221
' Indulge not in the liquid ill • That flows from the empoison'd Still, ' Thither the Fiend loves to repair, ' And Death, too oft, attends him there; ' Who, in his never-ceasing rounds, ' The Still-man aids as he compounds ' Each mixture that's in daily strife ' With Health, with Honour, and with Life. ' The Dram-shop is the spot that yields ' More various ills than all the fields ' Where grow the Vices that disgrace ' Th' existence of the human race. ' The Town with beggars it supplies, ' And almost fills th' Infirmaries; ' Gives half their inmates to the jails, ' And multiplies the Hangman's vails. ' —Question the sturdy Lab'rer, why ' He wears the rags of Poverty ? ' Wherefore his well-paid, daily task ' Denies the Bread his Children ask ? ' It is the Dram's alluring cup 1 That swallows all his earnings up. 1 —Behold the squallid Mother's breast, ' By the faint, sickly infant prest, ' That ne'er the milk of Nature gives:— ' Instead, the Suckling's lip receives222
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' The sad Infusion which at length, ' Destroys its puny, struggling strength ' Till Life its ev'ry aid denies, ' And the poor, shrivell'd pigmy dies. ' —Bid the Procuress mark the way ' To make th' incautious Maid her prey, ' The guards of Virtue to remove, ' And smooth the path to lawless love; ' 'Tis the same deleterious power, ' That crowns Seduction's fatal hour. —' Look at a shop whose windows show, ' On ev'ry side, above, below, ' The pledge of many a former day, ' Of pressing Want the sad display. ' Does it not wound each tender sense, ' To see the poor who issue thence, ' As to the Dram shop they repair, ' And spend the borrow'd pittance there ?1 ' —Behold, th' uplifted hand is seen :— ' What threat'ning looks and angry mien : ' While the foul execrating tongue ' Does the fierce, clam'rous war prolong :
1 A Pawnbroker made the following reply to a Friend who expressed his surprize that he did not remove to a better Situation.— 'I don't know a better: for it is within a very convenient ' distance from three Dram Shops.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 223
' While e'en from female lips proceed, ' The threat of many a bloody deed. 1 Thus Virtue's drown'd and Health destroy'd, ' For the vile habit's seldom cloy'd. ' Are then our Legislators loth ' To curb the ills that ruin both; ' Or wherefore do we daily meet ' Such scenes as these in ev'ry street? ' Do they then tempt the poor to pay ' Their health and virtue to defray ' The Nation's wants, and urge the Still, ' The rav'nous Taxman's book to fill. ' If they protect such baneful evil, ' Nought will protect them from the Devil.'
The Preacher thus his thoughts display'd : The Congregation groaned and pray'd : And some few thought it not a sin, To go and toast his health—in Gin.
—How oft the sons of riot find Pleasure the poison of the mind : In Life, by Fire and Famine, less Sink to their Graves, than by excess.224	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
'Tis Temperance gives the richest wealth; Contentment, Peace, and lasting Health: 'Tis Temperance that forms the sage: Is youth's best Guardian, and the Friend of Age.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 225
THE GAMING TABLE
If it were questioned of the Sage, Whose reas'ning mind, to hoary age, Has with a keen and curious ken, Examin'd well the ways of men, What is most likely to impart The worst of Frailties to the heart,— He would not hesitate to say,	"J
It is the excessive love of play :	|
That Gamesters are but birds of prey; J Who, like the vultures, as they fly Through the calm region of the sky, Look down with a rapacious joy, Eager to seize and to destroy. —Gaming, at first, a pleasure made, Becomes, at length, a rav'nous Trade.
When the hand shakes the treach'rous dice, The heart's the seat of ev'ry vice, The most abhorrent from the plan That Virtue has mark'd out for man. vol. 1.—p226	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
In that fell moment Friendship dies, Love, startled, from the bosom flies, And Nature—Nature's self belies :— J Nay, does not the fierce Lust proceed To consecrate the blackest deed. —Bacon, that first of Men, has said. The Gamester's to each virtue dead, And with th' accursed rage endued, Has not a sense of what is good; While his predominance in ill, Bears just proportion to the skill, With which his practic'd mind can guard The doubtful throw, the casual Card.
How oft the Youth, to virtue bred And born to wealth, whose parents dead Have left him, through the world to stray; In blooming Manhood's early day, Becomes the wily Sharper's prey. At first He's taught to find delight In those amusements of the night, Where men of courtly manners meet To ply the progress of deceit. Led on, at length, by slow degrees, All unsuspecting, and at ease,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 227
To ev'ry earthly comfort blind, The love of Play absorbs his mind, Nor suffers any other care To find a free Admission there. Then, to supply the wager'd gold, His woods are fell'd, his trees are sold; And the last hazard of the die Leaves him to want and misery; While the false friend, who caus'd his ruin, Sits, careless of the foul undoing : And, should Despair attempt the blow That calms at once all human woe, 'Twill scarce arrest th'impending throw. I
Is he, who by Despair is led To give a wife and infants bread, By a mere threat'ning to purvey From Travelers on the public way ? Is such a deed, which, when 'tis done, May frighten some, but ruin none; Is such a deed, which, like a dart, Pierces the trembling Culprit's heart, And, springing from no vile intent, To find the fatal punishment ? Is such a wretched man to die On Gallows tree in infamy ?228	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
While he, who in gay plenty lives On the vile gains which gaming gives, Shall be received with ease and glee, And marks of polish'd courtesy, In those bright circles, where the train Of Fashion hold their splendid reign ; Though many a Dupe may curse the hour, When Fortune's false, insidious power Allur'd them to his treach'rous hand, That could th' obedient card command, Or tell the fabricated die To aid the well-plann'd treachery.
Is there in Reason's view a scene Of a more fell and horrid mien ? Is there to calm Reflection's eye A nest of greater villainy, Than where the Pandemoniums meet,— Or to be cheated, or to cheat ?1 Is there a vice that is not there ? Is there a sense that good men share? Is there an oath that is not heard ?
Is there a curse that's not preferr'd?
_
1 The Gaming Houses of an inferior kind, in the neighbourhood of St. James's, are denominated ' Hells.'ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 229
Does not the disappointing die Call forth the horrid blasphemy ? And in the smile of him who wins, Each feature, as it brightens, sins.
If any one should wish to scan The God-like countenance of man, When Passion shapes it to descend Into the visage of a Fiend; To haunts like these he may repair:— He '11 find the frightful picture there.
But Death, who as he roams about, May find the Gaming Table out;— And, when he shows his ghastly grin, The knowing ones are taken in.	V
—The lucky Phantom's sure to win. J He enters,—when the fearful shout Echoes around, of—turn him out. No, he replies—that Gold is mine:— Gamester, that Gold you must resign. —Now Life's the Main, the Spectre cries :— He throws—and lo !—The Gamester dies.230
ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE BATTLE
Life's frail and perishable hour Has oft been liken'd to a flower, Which first a verdant leaf displays Amid the show'rs of vernal days, And Summer opens to the Sun ; But Autumn sees its beauty gone : Chill'd by Winter cold it lies, To be renew'd 'neath milder skies. Such is the whole progressive span That marks the longest life of Man : But, by experience, we are taught The various means that make it short. Disease, with its destructive Train, And all the Family of Pain ; These are the Ministers that wait Upon the dread commands of Fate. —Fever's fierce and burning heat Which makes each pulse with fury beat; Pallid Ague that, by turns, Shakes with tremors cold, or burnsENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
With parching pain ;—the Stone, That parent of the heaving groan ; The Gout, and all its racking pains, Or Frenzy, writhing in its chains, And many an ill of doubtful name That harrasses the human frame. Nor these alone: Heart-breaking Care ; With pining Love, and fell despair; Or Passion's unreflecting rage, Which Reason trembles to assuage;— They, in their various natures, pave Man's passage to the gloomy grave, His mortal destiny : but these Waste mankind by slow degrees, While Nature's all-prolific power Supplies such losses every hour. —No, 'tis the vast, ensanguin'd plain Cover'd with thousands of the slain, Where the fell Deity of War Drives onward in his fatal Car : 'Tis there th' affrighted eye can trace The power that thins the human race.
The Sun his early beams displays And tips the hills with golden rays ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Then glitters on the martial show, That covers all the vale below; Where the embattel'd armies wait, Impatient for the word of Fate ; While Death expects, in dire array, The victims of the bloody day. Thousands who saw the Sun arise, And with its bright beams streak the skies, E'er his orb sinks into the main, In ghastly shapes will strew the plain. E'er his allotted Circuit's run, What glory will be lost and won, Glory, the dearly purchas'd prize Of widows' tears, of orphans' cries; Of matrons—shrieking wild with woe; Of cities, and their walls laid low ; Of chrystal streams bestain'd with gore; Of the rich vallies that no more Their plenty to the sickle yields; While Blood's the Harvest of the fields.
Man could not be by Nature made For War's destructive, cruel trade; To change the joys of social Life, For savage deeds of martial Strife.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 233
He who is born to weep with those
Who feel the weight of human woes ;
He, whose first joy is to relieve
The aching hearts of those who grieve;
He, whose happier passions move,
Faithful to Friendship and to Love;
Is He by Nature form'd to wield
The sabre in the tented field ?
What though he may the battle try,
Summon'd by stern Necessity;
What, though his country's wrongs may charm
The patriot citizen to arm,
And join the cohorts to oppose
The darings of his country's foes,—
He, born with Love to be endued, ^
And Charity, Life's real good,
Was never form'd to deal in blood. J
It cannot with his virtues suit,
For the stern trump to change the lute;
Or quit, without a deep-drawn sigh,
The scene of peace and harmony.
The mother, when she lulls to rest Th'unconscious infant on her breast; When, as she views the Babe, her eye Glances with tender extasy :234	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
She offers up the secret prayer To Heaven, for its protecting care; To guard him from the ills that wait Upon his weak and helpless state. Give him strength, and grant him health ; Give him Virtue, crown'd with wealth;— That thus her Infant may be blest, Is the maternal, fond request. She thinks not of the woe that springs From the ambitious pride of kings; Nor looks, with premature alarms, To hostile feats and deeds of arms ; Nor are her wishes e'er beguil'd, To see a Hero in her child. With the pale lily and the rose, She decks the smiling Urchin's brows; Nor does Affection's hand prepare j To place the verdant Laurel there, r Emblem of Honour gain'd in war. J Virtue, she knows, may find its meed,
Where daring warriors never bleed ; And Honour may enjoy renown Without the Victor's laureate crown, For added evils wherefore roam, All find enough of ill at home ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 235
If ill it should be call'd that proves The noble Heart which Virtue loves.
War's the Disease of nations, sent By Heaven, as awful punishment, At once to chasten, and chastise Mankind's combin'd enormities; And when its standard is unfurl'd, What woes assail the trembling world. Murder, and Massacre and Spoil, Pursued with unremitting toil r In ev'ry clime, on ev'ry soil.	J
Amid the Battle's bloody hour, Death brandishes his utmost power; And thousands in a moment fall, Beneath that Strength which conquers all. When He his potent arm uprears, In ev'ry shape his dart appears, Which the fell arts of War employ With deadly genius to destroy. When the sword strikes the struggling foe, 'Tis Death directs the fatal blow : When the shaft makes the bosom bleed, 'Tis Death directs the fatal speed : When the loud cannon breathes, its breath Is the destructive fume of Death.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Where'er he waves his torch on high, The victors and the vanquish'd die; And Fame's too oft the only meed Or of the living, or the dead. —O blest be that benignant hour, When chast'ning Justice calms its power Bids all the warring contests cease, And gives the humbled Nations peace.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE WEDDING
There is a proverb that is known By ev'ry lively Miss in Town, For whom Love lies in ambuscade, —That Marriages in Heaven are made. Thus, when the Fair, resolv'd to wed, Receives the Captain to her bed, Whose only fortune is his pay Of nothing like a pound per day, A father's anger to assuage, And calm an humbled Mother's rage, She says, in hopes to be forgiven, The nuptial knot was tied in Heaven. How could she help it—when her Love Was govern'd by the powers above; And therefore would Papa persuade That this same match was wisely made ; Nay, asks the Dower he would accord, As if her Spouse had been a Lord. —But 'tis not Birth, nor is it gold That does the sacred Union holdENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
In that firm fondness which will last. When Beauty, and when years are past. Affection is the Knot that binds In silken cord, congenial minds; And, e'en, in with'ring age will bloom, To grace the confines of the tomb : Thus Hymen often doth beguile The Heart, though Fortune does not smile And turns, disgusted, from the great, Beneath the domes of Wealth and State.
If Hymen would with Plutus rove, And always seek the God of Love ; Nor ever quit the common shrine, When they the Nuptial Contract sign : If Cupid ne'er would make pretence Unless to Beauty, Wit, or Sense, And Plutus ever ready be To crown each faithful Votary, And Hymen, not a step proceed, 'Till his Associates were agreed, Who would not seek the Nuptial State, Who would not be a married mate ? Nay, scarce upon this earthly round Would one old Bachelor be found.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 239
But 'tis not form'd by Nature's plan To give such Happiness to Man : It would be folly then to wonder That Love and Plutus keep asunder; For Hymen's ever at their will Their sep'rate pleasure to fulfil; Though Plutus seems to take the lead Of Love, in matrimonial deed :	I
Such is, at least, the gen'ral creed :— J And such Amelia's tale will prove Who married Wealth, nor thought of Love.
She was, 'tis true, in Fashion bred, With all those whimsies in her head, , With all those hopes, within her heart, That High-life fantasies impart. Her glass return'd the lovely face, Her ev'ry motion beam'd with grace, Which might the ardent wish inspire, And bid each gazing eye admire; So that she thought, let who will woe me, 'Tis some Adonis shall subdue me; For I'm not yet so foolish grown, To wed a form unlike my own. But 'twill not do, unless his door, Beholds each day, the coach-and-four;240 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Or, if 'tis just to take the air, The sprightly Curricle and pair,	-
Or the groom with the high-bred mare. J Nor must the dear Adonis stint her, To one grand Fete through one long winter ; But, by the splendour of each treat, To lay all Fashion at her feet.
Thus did her flatt'ring hopes go on From seventeen years to twenty-one : But no Adonis yet appears, And all her hopes were turn'd to fears. —Instead, an ancient, tatter'd Beau, Who totter'd on threescore, or so, Resolv'd to close his rakish Life, With a young fashionable wife. Amelia caught his gloting eye, And heard his fond Idolatry; When all that could her pride content, In figure, wealth, and settlement, Was placed at her supreme command, To bribe the Fair to yield her hand.
Amelia conn'd the matter o'er, Sigh'd twenty-one, and then threescore.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 241
The offer she would say is fair, But then there's no Adonis there; And for Adonis should I stay, 'Till all my Beauties fade away; Should I refuse the offer'd Lot I might e'en live to be forgot. —Besides, my dear, prolific mother Gave me five Sisters, and a Brother; So that my Dower will ne'er invite A match beyond a country Knight;— My Fortune may not e'en inspire The Courtship of a mortgag'd Squire. —All things consider'd, 'twill be wise My love-lorn hopes to sacrifice, And take Sir John, let who will flout him, With all his wealth and years about him ; Nay, should the Veteran not survive The day when I am twenty-five, So wealthy, and yet handsome still, I shall have Lovers at my will, And stand a better chance to find A young Adonis to my mind :— But that the world may not upbraid me, It is my mother shall persuade me; And thus to give the matter weight, I for a week will hesitate. vol. 1.—qENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
This interval Mamma employs To influence her Daughter's choice, And urges in a different way The self-same reasons ev'ry day.
' I own, my Dear, it is too true, ' Sir John 's a horrid form to view, ' But he pays nobly for the pride ' Of having such a lovely Bride, ' And in the matrimonial dish, ' We can't have all that we can wish : ' Let Fortune cook it how it will, ' There will be something wanting still. ' —A proverb oft the truth displays, ' And think on what this proverb says— ' You 'd better be an old man's darling ' Than hear a young man's constant snarling. ' He says, indeed, he's but threescore, ' But I know that He's something more; ' While from the Life which he has past, ' The Doctors say he cannot last. ' It seems, that more than half the year ' He has the Gout, and can't appear; ' At least, his limping form is seen, ' Shelter'd within a gilded screen. ' In this same calculating age,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 243
£ When Int'rest is the growing rage, ' A prospect, with such golden views, ' It would be madness to refuse. ' There's many a Dutchess cannot prove c Such splendid marks of gen'rous Love ' As he proposes :—count them o'er, ' And tell me, would you wish for more. ' Envy may scoff, and some may smile, ' But think on what you '11 gain the while. ' Few, few, among the world's gay throng ' Will say, dear Girl, you've acted wrong, ' If you with prudence play your part, ' Nor let the world corrupt your heart, ' When as a Widow you appear ' With twice three thousand pounds a year, ' And all the fine things which the pride 1 Of doting Love, will give beside. ' My counsel is, the proffer'd boon ' Should be receiv'd this afternoon : ' This moment let your mother write 1 To ease the gallant, suff'ring Knight; ' To tell him, that at length, you yield, ' And leave him Master of the field; ' But, to conclude this long debate, ' Think, think on his precarious state. ' The bus'ness must not be delay'd,244	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
' Or e'er the settlements are made, ' He to that region may be flown ' Where Marriages are never known.'
'Twas done :—In haste the forms proceed ; The Lawyers all are doubly fee'd; The Fashion-shops work night and day, To furnish out the rich array, That young Amelia might be seen, The image of the Cyprian queen ; When, 'mid Idalian rites she moves, Surrounded by th' admiring Loves; Such costly jewels now appear To shine and dangle in her ear, To bind her arms, and deck her hair, To make the fairest look more fair, Such as a Sultan seldom gave To the Seraglio's fav'rite Slave. In short, it was the tempting store Of am'rous wealth at sixty-four.
At length arriv'd th'appointed Day, When all, but Emily, were gay. Still her pale lips, however loth, To the old Bridegroom plight their troth ; While he affects a simp'ring grace,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 245
Or calls a smirk into his face. Thus, as she saw him by her stand, And felt his chilly, palsied hand, The humbling tear bedew'd her eyes, And mourn'd her own sad sacrifice: Nor could she draw a faint supply Of Comfort, e'en from Vanity. In spite of all her splendid show, She inly curs'd the gilded woe; And, in the secret of her mind, Call'd Death—the Union to unbind; Nor call'd in vain.—In surplice drest, At once the Bridesman and the Priest, 'Twas Death who at the Altar heard The inward wish that she preferr'd; And when the sacred knot was tied, The Bridegroom in a moment died, And left her, as she just had pray'd— A widow'd Bride, a married Maid.
She now her gawds to sables turns, And in all due Apparel mourns. But though, by some good folks 'tis said, That marriages in Heaven are made, She thinks, to make the Proverb even, That they are sometimes loosd in Heaven.246	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE SKAITERS
Water and Earth, and Air and Fire, All, in their different ways conspire, Our Life's frail nature to support; Or, as it happens, cut it short. Not a day passes but 'tis found That some are burn'd, or some are drown'd. Does not the foul and fcetid breath Of some disease, cause daily death ? And who, on Earth's vast space can tell The Spot where Danger does not dwell ? The very Elements, that tend To give us Life, produce our end. Death is not only here and there, His fearful power is every where. He sails, upon his baleful wing, Amid the zephyrs of the spring ; He can his deadly frolics play Beneath the Summer's burning ray ; While Autumn's fruit, at his command, Shall drop ripe from the gatherer's hand ;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 247
He calls obedient to his power, Each pastime of the wint'ry hour; Whether we seek the painted dome, Or are invited forth to roam, When the earth is fast bound in frost, And ev'ry stream in ice is lost. Should then the fatal Shape incline To glide along the Serpentine, How many skaiting folks would he Throw into mortal jeopardy : Away, in vain, the Skaiters skim, 'Tis all in vain that they can swim. If he but waves his mystic dart, Th' obedient Ice begins to part; And, while the opening chink receives The hapless groupe, he grins, and leaves Some of the smartest blades in town To squall, to flounder, and to drown.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
THE DUEL
Honour's a very common word, By all and ev'ry where preferr'd. But what's its meaning,—where's the Key, That will unlock the Mystery ? It seems to change in ev'ry street, And with each person that we meet. —Ask the old Maid of fifty-three, She whispers, 'tis Virginity. —Ask the gay Virgin, in her teens, What this self-same expression means ? She '11 say, when a young Miss can boast, To be an universal Toast. —In Bond-street, of the Loungers there Enquire for Honour,—when and where 'Tis to be found :—Why some will say In paying debts, when lost at play: In guiding, with adroit command, The gay Barouche and four-in-hand ; With equal grace to swear and rail As any Coachman of a Mail.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 249
—If in your walks you chance to pop Your head into a Tradesman's shop, What though he lies from morn to night, If he can get a Guinea by't, Let him but pay his Bills when due; He is a Man of Honour too. —The Jobber in the Stock Exchange, Call him a Rogue—he '11 say 'tis strange ; For if he's neither Bull nor Bear, He is a Man of Honour there. Go to the Temple, or Gray's Inn, And ask where Honour's to be seen ?— The Porter answers, 'tis not known Within those quarters of the Town ; But if you touch him with a Fee, Though all in vain, He '11 go and see. —The Soldier, if you name the word, Lays his rough hand upon his Sword; Then points in silence to the scar, Won 'mid the bloody toils of War. What says Religion ?—She replies, Honour within the bosom lies :— The Steers-man of our moral frame, Honour and Conscience are the same : But there's an Engine in the breast, Which some folks call Self-interest,ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That in this busy world of our's,
Possesses those resistless powers,
That sometimes change the name and nature,
The very form and shape and feature
Of all the principles which plan
The moral Institute of Man ;
And, like the Alchemy of old,
Strives to convert them into Gold.
—My Grandame told me, in my youth,
Honour's another word for Truth ;
But now I find, some years gone by,
'Tis Honour to maintain a lie.
Nay, do not men of Honour hold
That Truth's not always to be told?
But says the world, and be it known,
I have an Honour of my own,
Whose Spirit ever is awake
Revenge, for certain wrongs, to take;
Whose keen impatience will not wait
For Lawyers to accommodate :
An insult of whatever kind,
A blow before, a kick behind ;
An idle word, a booby drunk,
A quarrel for a playhouse punk.—
—'Tis daily seen, with all its worth,
What Folly calls this honour forth.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 251
Jack Tetchy, who for several years Captain had been of Volunteers ; And Billy Diaper, who bore The Colours in the self-same Corps, In a Cook-shop by chance had met, A little noon-tide prog to get. Jack, who look'd big, and munching stood, Swore that the Cheese-cakes were not good;— While Billy said—they were a treat, The best that he had ever eat. ' Then, Sir, you mean to say, I lie,' Was the impetuous, quick reply. ' If you should wish to take it so,' Says Billy, c I shall not say no.' Words begat words, and threaten'd blows, When Jack took Billy by the nose. This was an insult too severe For a brave Soldier's pride to bear. 'Twas Honour nam'd the following day: The angry Heroes both obey; When, without fear of wounds or blood, They bravely met at Hornsey Wood. The Seconds now prepare the Fuel Which forms the Honour of a Duel: A Surgeon too was near the ground, T' extract a ball, or dress a wound.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Jack was dim-ey'd, and made a claim To use a glass, to aid his aim. —The Combatants their triggers drew; The opposing Bullets instant flew; A fatal Ball struck Billy's paunch, Ek'd out with many a Ham and Haunch With agony he loudly squall'd ; Th' expecting Doctor's quickly call'd ; But, e'er he can approach the scene, Death had thought fit to intervene, And prov'd his strength: for, in a crack He threw fat Billy 'cross his back. —Alarm'd, the diff'rent parties run;— The work of Honour now is done.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 253
THE BISHOP AND DEATH
Thus are Death's mortal weapons hurl'd, Resistless on a prostrate world; The young, the old, the grave, the gay, His potent summons all obey. But can no remedy be found To sooth the rancour of his wound ? Is Gilead of her Balm bereft, And frail Creation hopeless left ? Say, will no white-rob'd Son of Light, Swift darting from his Heavenly height, Here deign to take his hallow'd stand, And shed Salvation round the Land ? Mortals, the aid you wish is near, No light-clad angel need appear, Prophetic voice, and Gospel Grace, May well supply an Angel's place ; Yes, Gospel Truth's unerring sound, Has long been heard the world around; And He, who will not these attend, Should dead men rise, or Saints descend;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
Would still, in unbelieving mood, Refuse the bliss by which he's woo'd; Would not attend though rocks should speak, Or voice from bursting mountains break. 'Twas the great Messenger from Heaven, By whom the sacred word was given, The Son of God's eternal Love Descended from the Heaven above, To arm frail man for combat high, Against his last Great Enemy ; To guard him in the awful strife, And point the way through death to life. Himself the arduous conflict tried, And rose triumphant though he died.
His faithful followers here behold Amidst Death's Terrors calmly bold : A Prelate full of Heavenly Grace, High rais'd in virtue as in place; One who God's people ne'er betray'd, Nor practis'd other than he said. His early age to learning given, Prepar'd him for the task of Heaven : Science, thy thorny paths he trod, Through Nature's works, to Nature's God;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH 255
Till now intent on Heavenly good, The Spirit caught him where it would, And tipt his tongue with Coal of Fire,
And bade the hallow'd flame aspire. The Holy word, by day, by night, At once his study and delight; Anxious he weighs each verse each line, And human learning aids divine; But not alone to study given, He shews, and leads the path to Heaven. Still, instant by the sick man's bed, He cheers his heart and lifts his head : His counsels tott'ring virtue stay, At his rebuke vice shrinks away. Such, such of old good Pastors were, Such Cranmer—Wilson—Latimer. All humbler duties duly paid, At last, the Mitre decks his head; Still modest in his high degree, Still grac'd with meek humility. Another glory yet remains, And that by death the good man gains;
An heavenly crown, bright heritage, Amid the Saints of ev'ry Age.ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
What more can Heaven on man bestow, Or man deserve of God below? Now call'd to that, devoid of fear, He sees the close of Life is near ; Religion beaming in his heart, He heeds not Death's impending dart: His faithful friend directs the way To regions of eternal day. Where then thy sting, dread tyrant, where The triumph to thy Pride so dear, Harmless thy boasted dart is found:— 'Tis Sin gives venom to the wound. —The body, given him at his birth, Must mingle with its native earth. 'Gainst that alone Death's darts prevail, Against th' immortal parts they fail: The fragil frame sinks to the tomb, There rests amid sepulchral gloom ; From thence, more glorious to arise, And join its partner in the skies; No longer pain or care to know, Or changes that man feels below ; But change of Bliss and Pleasure pure, And Peace that ever shall endure. —As he whose form the fiend sustain'd, When Eve's too easy faith he gain'd;ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
That beast, the subtlest of the field, As Winter's chilling rigours yield, And earth receives Spring's tepid ray, Casts his old Coil in Scorn away; Darts from his Cave in vigour bold, And rears his crest of burnish'd gold, Renew'd with the renewing year, Again to droop in Autumn sear:— But Man, the sleep of Death once o'er, Shall rise renew'd, to fall no more.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME
VOL. I.—RINDEX TO THE FIRST VOLUME
i. Time and Death.
PAGE
Time and Death their Thoughts impart
On Works of Learning, and of Art	I
2. The Antiquarian and Death. Fungus, at length, contrives to get
Death's Dart into his Cabinet .	13
3.	The Last Chase. Such mortal Sport the Chase attends :
At Break-Neck Hill, the Hunting ends	20
4.	The Statesman. Not all the Statesman's power or Art
Can turn aside Death's certain Dart	26
5. Tom Higgins. His Blood is stopp'd in ev'ry Vein,
He ne'er will eat or drink again .	33
6. The Shipwreck. The Dangers of the Ocean o'er
Death wrecks the Sailors on the Shore . ' .	41
269260 ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
7. The Virago.
PAGE
Her Tongue, and Temper to subdue ;
Can only be perform'd by you .	49
8.	The Glutton.
What, do these sav'ry Meats delight you?
Be gone, and stay, till I invite you .	58
9.	The Recruit. I list you, and you '11 soon be found,
One of my Regiment, under Ground	63
10.	The Maiden Ladies. Be not alarm'd.-1'm only come
To choose a Wife, and light her Home .	67
11.	The Quack Doctor. I have a secret Art, to cure
Each Malady, which Men endure .	74
12. The Sot. Drunk and alive, the Man was thine,
But dead and drunk, why :-he is mine	84
13. The Honey Moon. When the old Fool has drank his Wine,
And gone to rest—I will be thine .	92
14. The Hunter Unkennelled. Yes, Nimrod, you may look aghast:
I have unkennell'd you, at last .	103INDEX
261
15. The Good Man, Death and the Doctor.
PACE
No Scene so blest in Virtue's Eyes,
As when the Man of Virtue dies .	105
16. Death and the Portrait. Nature and Truth are rot at strife :
Death draws his pictures after Life	112
17. The Genealogist. On that illumin'd Roll of Fame,
Death waits to write your Lordship's Name .	118
18. The Catchpole. The Catchpole need not fear a Jail :
The Undertaker is his Bail .	127
19. The Insurance Office. Insure his Life.-But, to your Sorrow,
You'll pay a good, round Sum, to-morrow	136
20. The Schoolmaster. Death, with his Dart, proceeds to flog
Th'astonished, flogging Pedagogue	144
21. The Coquette. I '11 lead you to the splendid Croud :
But your next Dress will be a Shroud	152
22. Time and Death, and Goody Barton. On with your dead ; and I '11 contrive
To bury this old Fool—alive .	157262	ENGLISH DANCE OF DEATH
23. The Undertaker and the Quack.
PAGE
The Doctor's sick'ning Toil to close,
' Recipe Coffin,' is the Dose .	161
24. The Masquerade. Such is the Power, and such the Strife,
That ends the Masquerade of Life	165
25. The Death Blow. How vain are all your Triumphs past:
For this Set-To will be your last .	177
26. The Vision of Skulls. As it appears, though dead so long,
Each Skull is found to have a Tongue .	188
27. The Porter's Chair. What watchful Care the Portal keeps !
A Porter He, who never sleeps .	. 199
28. The Pantomime. Behold the Signal of Old Time :
That bids you close your Pantomime	. 207
29.	The Horse Race. This is a very break-neck Heat;
And 'Squire Jockey you are beat	-213
30.	The Dram Shop.
Some find their Death by Sword and Bullet; And some by Fluids, down the Gullet .
220INDEX
263
31. The Gaming Table.
PAGE
Whene'er Death plays, He's sure to win :
He '11 take each knowing Gamester in	225
32.	The Battle. Such is, alas, the common Story,
Of Blood and Wounds, of Death and Glory .	. 230
33.	The Wedding. Plutus commands ; and to the Arms
Of doting Age, she yields her Charms .	. 237
34.	The Skaiters. On the frail Ice, the whirring Skait
Becomes an Instrument of Fate .	. 246
35. The Duel. Here Honour, as it is the Mode,
Tc Death consigns the weighty Load	. 248
36. The Bishop and Death.
Though I may yield my forfeit Breath, The Word of Life defies thee, Death
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