The Leisure Hours of a Railway Labourer (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt: ... HEBREW MANUSCRIPT OF DAVID: IN METRE, TRANSLATED AND DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND FORMER TRANSLATION. MORE PLAIN, SMOOTH, AND AGREEABLE TO THE TEXT THAN ANY HERETOFORE. ALLOWED BY AUTHORITY, AND APPOINTED TO BE SUNG IN ALL STATIONS AND GOODS' SHEDS. EDINBURGH: SANCTIONED BY THE BOARD OP SENIOR OFFICERS, AND PRINTED BY SIR WILLIAM GO-LIGHTLY & CO. Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. THE HEBREW MANUSCRIPT OF DAVID: IN METRE. The first year Cee-ef-Dae did reign, Of the line of David son, Great changes 'mong the people came, And wonderous works were done. They said, the horse we'll not bestride, Nor in the chariot sit, But on the wings of wind we'll ride, Send messages by lightning quick. Then, from Dunedin's ancient towers, They forthwith made a way, By Joppa's shore, to Tweed's fair bowers, A pleasant road made they. A five-stringed instrument by the road, They set on posts on high; Diminished distance to a nod, The twinkling of an eye. Then engines great, of mighty strength And swiftness, they did frame. And carriages, a goodly length, And sat within the same. They laughed to scorn the horseman's skill; Dispised the horse's speed; They curbed the elements at will; Nor horses' strength did need. But many elders, old and grey, And women not a few, Held up their hands in sad dismay, And wist not what to do. For they inclined not in their hearts To follow wisdom's ways, Contented with the jog-trot arts, That ruled in former days. The men of understanding great. Looked on such folk with pity, And fixed themselves within the gate, In midst of their own city. Their engines great went rushing forth, Like water o'er a rock, To East and West, and South and North, And spew'd forth fire and smoke. The people shouted loud and long, And made a joyful noise; The Ki...