A DAY.

IN CHIT-CHAT VERSE,

TO DR. ******

WHO INQUIRED HOW I PASSED MY TIME.

So much one day is like another,

It might be taken for its brother.

Ar six o'clock I raise the head,

Toss the warm cov'ring off the bed,
Dress-and if thoughts sprung in the night,
Distinguish them in black and white,
Survey the skies with half a scowl,
And prophesy if fair or foul:
Then to my girl * I softly creep,
To steal a kiss while she's asleep;
For when the foot but lightly moves
We stand a chance to win the gloves.

My hat put on, I quit the door,
Attempt to walk two miles or more ;
At Birmingham I meet my boy t,
But never meet him without joy;

* An only and tenderly-loved daughter, and who fully deserves the utmost that parental affection can bestow:-accomplished, ingenious, and amiable.

His only son, the prototype of his father's industry, pursuing the same regular track with equal success.

For

For life to melancholy tends

Were we to live without our friends:

Nay, if to solitude we give,

How can we then be said to live?

Thoughts of the pen are now laid by, On paper only cast an eye.

*

"Twill suit you, Sir, to buy this lot, "The best and cheapest sort we've got.' "Nay, Sir, it will my warehouse fill." "Rot it, take all-pay when you will."

The glasses, newspapers, and I late
Enter the parlour to be private.

Let's see what Statesmen are contriving,
And politic nags which they are driving.
But how can I men's actions view,
Who know but little what they do?

My joyous breakfast comes at last in,
I relish like a ploughman fasting;
Chat with all comers on each head,
But, after all, there's nothing said,
Till Molly finishes debates,
Enters with," Sir, the dinner waits."
Who would not enter with all his-heart
To taste the pudding, pye, or dissart?
Let me to these sweet dishes join,
And you, my friend, may take surloin.

Nought now remains (the floor well trod) But burn my shins, or take a nod,

* See the Veteran's Memoin

Till gloves are on, hat o'er the eye, * 'Tis striking five*, and so good bye.”

The bulky town recedes from view,
I meet with bows and How d'ye do?
Miss Rain and I each other chase,
Are often found in close embrace:
Though clean without and pure within,
"I dunna like hur tuch ma skin."

When Aston steeple strikes the eye
It steals for her I lov'd, a sigh.

One mile walk'd o'er, the trav'ller sees
My little cot peep through the trees.
Dear cot! for thirty years inclin'd
of mind,

To furnish me with peace

Which ne'er gave anxious thought or sigh
Until the fourteenth of July †,—

Hid from the world, from care, from din,
Can cast a pleasing look within.

Here I, with truth it may be said,
Write for the living, wake the dead,
Converse with those who liv'd of yore,
And feed on what they fed before:
Transaction at command appears,

Bring back to view a thousand years.

• Every afternoon at this hour he returns on foot, in all weathers, to his house on Bennet's-hill, more than two miles from Birmingham, which, however, he still walks with ease, though now in his 83d year.

Advert to the Memoir.

Now in heroic verse we'll state,

At that sound when I

pass the gate
Bounces old Cerberus from his bed,

Not grac'd with three, but with one head;
Bullies in thund'ring strains about,
Resolv'd to keep invaders out:
But instant, finding who I am,
Converts the monster to a lamb,
Smiles at me with that mouth and
eye
Rais'd the past moment to destroy.
Severity would give him blows,
Humanity a pat bestows.

The birds my little grove retain,
And hail me with a cheerful strain;
In gratitude they sing their best,
Because they hold a peaceful nest;
For neither bird nor nest have been
Disturb'd since first my grove was seen:
A place, perhaps, by right divine,
As much their freehold as 'tis mine;
And though we both are now possessors,
May both bequeath it our successors;
Nor shall it in the frost be said

I e'er withheld a crumb of bread.

*the Muse engage,

Who in my service see old age:

They hear my voice, they make no stand,

But take the bread from master's hand;

* They have drawn me often to the happy villa, and are treated as kind tho’humble friends. The whole of these passages relates literal facts.

Perceiving

Perceiving an exhausted store,
Lovingly follow me for more.
They never knew a treatment harsh,
Strangers to want as to the lash.

I meet my servants growing old,
But never meet them with a scold;
My equals in an Eye Divine,
Why not my equals then in mine?

Puss cocks her tail, begins to crawl,
And rubs her side against the wall.
She ne'er in all her life has spoke,
Or she would say "Give puss a stroke."

But what the pleasure can surpass When my girl sees me through the glass? Rises to meet me, while the joy

Takes full possession of her eye.

Where is the man that could look glum
Who sees the best of women come?
Whatever comfort age can find

Lies in the storehouse of her mind *.

Now garden, converse, book, or pen, Tea, supper, music, please till ten; When the bell rings " to bring a light," I mount, and burrow for the night.

Of blessings can I wish for more? They amply satisfy fourscore.

This too is a literal truth.

Thus