The Humourous Poetry of the English Language

569
Were you fix'd on one's funeral sermon to preach,
The bare apprehension would keep one from dying.
THE WISE CHILD.
How plain your little darling says "Mamma,"
But still she calls you "Doctor," not "Papa."
One thing is clear: your conscientious rib
Has not yet taught the pretty dear to fib.
SPECIMEN OF THE LACONIC.
"Be less prolix," says Grill.I like advice--
"Grill, you're an ass!"Now surely that's concise.
CUPID AND MERCURY, OR THE BARGAIN.
Sly Cupid late with Maia's son
Agreed to live as friend and brother;
In proof, his bow and shafts the one
Chang'd for the well-fill'd purse of t'other.
And now, the transfer duly made,
Together through the world they rove;
The thieving god in arms array'd,
And gold the panoply of love!
FRITZ.
Quoth gallant Fritz, "I ran away
To fight again another day."
The meaning of his speech is plain,
He only fled to fly again.
ON DORILIS.
That Dorilis thus, on her lap as he lies,