Jokeby, a Burlesque on Rokeby; A Poem ... in Six Cantos (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. 1813 Excerpt: ...there bounc'd A man, whose figure and attire, Startled the cronies by the fire. VIII. His hair in a disorder'd state, Hung wildly from his half-starv'd pate; M On leg and thigh were wads of straw; His air denoted the Bashaw. A cravat, which with dirt was dyed, About his neck was careless tied; The thread-bare coat too, which he wore, Was in the arms and elbows tore. He had a burthen on his back, And which he carried like a sack. He blew his nose upon the ground, And like a bedlamite look'd round; Then up the room, with swaggering strut, He hastened on the hearth to put, Half lifeless in his little arms, His gift, a boy of lovely charms. To Jokeby, he took off his hat, Then stood erect to have some chat; To give him senatorial pow'r, He hemm'd and haw'd for half an hour. "Bill, nick-named Jokeby by your friends, Paddy O'Rourke his blessing sends; He to thy tender care thinks fit, This grandson, Terence, to commit. He bids thee rear him as thy own, For Paddy's sweet delights are flown; All the Spalpeens have made so free, Not a potatoe now has he He knew full well to crack a joke, And consequently smiles provoke; And knew full well in all to prove The tenderness of mighty love; That while she blam'd and while she chid, She lik'd each little thing he did. Oft, too, when heavy show'rs of rain, The happy pair at home detain, Together in a corner they Read o'er a ballad or a play; Or by a roaring fire they'd sit, Or sing or chat as they thought fit; While lively chat or merry tune, Diverted every afternoon; Still blending from their early days Their fun, their study and their lays. A mutual longing they betray, But must not think love in the way; But tho' they dar'd not, slander base Soon dar'd to call it a disgrace, And when so often, cheek by joul, Night ...