*158] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1795. 
ATALE; by the Reo. Mr. Bisnor- 
Quod petis hic est. 
N°? plate had John and Joan to hoard, 
Plain folk, in humble plight 5 
One only tankard crown’d their board, 
And that was fill’d each night, 
Along whose inner bottom sketch’dy 
In pride of chubby grace, 
Some rude engraver’s hand had etch’a 
A baby Angel’s face. 
John swallow’d first a mod’rate sup; 
But Joan was not like John; 
For, when her lips once touch’d the cup, 
She swill’d till all was gone- 
John often urg’d her to drink fair, 
But she ne’er changed a jot 5 
She Iov’d tosee the Angel there, 
And therefore drain’d the pot. 
When John found all remonstrance vain, 
Another card he play’d ; ; 
And, where the angel stood so plain, 
He got a devil portray’d. 
Joan saw the horns, Joan saw the tail, 
Yet Joan as stoutly quafi’d 5 
And ever, when she seized her ale, 
She cleared it at a draught. 
John star’d, with wonder petrify’d, 
His hairs rose on his pate ; 
And ** why dost guzzle now” he cry'd, 
“© At this enormous rate ?”’ 
‘© John,” said she * am I to blame ¢ 
I can’t im conscience stop ; 
For sure ’twould be a burning shame 
To leave the Devil a drop!” 
