To furnish it no flocks of geese,

Were plunder'd of their downy fleece,

Plain straw it is...and o'er this bed,

The ruins of a quilt are spread.

Now nothing else to me belongs,
Except a broken pair of tongs;
And for a shift until they're mended,
We use a branch of willow bended.

One moment yet I beg you'll spare,

And just look o'er my bill of fare,
Which with my furniture accords,

And small variety affords :

The cruel butcher's murd'rous knife,

For me deprives no beast of life;

No angler with ensnaring wiles,

For me the finny race beguiles;
No sailor braves the dangerous sea
To bring home luxuries for me-
But words I will not multiply,
Potatoes all our meals supply;

A little milk to them we add

And salt, when that can not be had.

That man to honour sure is lost,

Who of his wretchedness can boast;
Yet gain so rules the human breast,

That men of competence possest,
Could every qualm of conscience hush,

And swear without one single blush!

And all that's represented here,

Indeed I can too truly swear.

Good Sirs, comply with this request,

My humble name blot from your list,

And, grateful for so high a favour,

Cabin-comfortless, near Ballywalter,
December 18, 1807.

玉

THE CONTRAST,

A TALE.

MAN tosses on the sea of life

Unsettled, till he gets a wife,

And from her conduct then must flow

His future happiness, or woe;

Of this, great numbers know the truth,

Who have exchang'd the toys of youth

For lasting blessings, more sincere,

Domestic peace...a partner dear

Infants possessing ev'ry charm,

Their mother's face, their father's form

In short, each happiness that can

Make life desirable to man.

But on the other hand, alas !

How many pine in deep distress!

And curse the luckless day they sold

The joys of freedom for a scold,

Whose voice Jove's thunder doth resemble,

By making all who hear it tremble.

But to my tale....Two simple swains,
True comrades, once had rang'd the plains,
Feeding their flocks, devoid of guile,
Till love with circumventive wile,
(For few are proof against his arts)
Enthrall'd their unsuspecting hearts;
They parted...each his fortune tried,

And each, in time, obtain’d a bride.
Time glides away...five years were past
Since these two friends had parted last,
When on a market-day they met,

1

And spent some time in friendly chat,
On early pleasures fondly dwelling,

And how they far'd in wedlock telling-
Says Tom, "no bliss can equal mine,
"My charming wife is so divine-

"I think indulgent Heav'n was kind
"In forming one just to my mind ;

"By her the town clock's imitated,

"Her life is so well regulated;

"The echo, which returns a sound,

"To emulate she's always found;

"Nay do not stare, for it is true,

"She ne'er speaks but when spoken to, "And like the snail, that seldom creeps

"Too far abroad, at home she keeps.

"Such is my wife, dear Jack,

pray tell

"If your's behaves herself so well?”

He ceas'd...Jack answered with a sigh, "That you are bless'd none can deny; "The man endow'd with such a mate 66 May smile at all the frowns of fate, "But surely mine, by angry Heav'n "To be my punishment was giv'n"Yet she resembles all these things,

"The source whence all my sorrow springs ;

"When on her forehead anger lours,

"She has such great stentorial pow'rs,