91G ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



He work'd, with sinuosities, along, 



Like Mcnsicur Corkscrew, worming thro' a cork ; 

 Not straight, like Corkscrew's proxy, stiff Don Prong, 

 A Fork. 



At length, with near four bottles in his pate, 



He saw the moon shining on Shove's brass plate ; 



When reading " Please to ring the bell ;" 



And being civil beyond measure, 

 " Ring it !" says Toby — " very well ; 



I'll ring it with a deal of pleasure." 



Tobj', the kindest soul in all the town, 

 Gave it a jerk that almost jerk'd it down 

 He waited full two minutes ; no one came ; 



He waited full two minutes more — and then — 

 Says Toby—" If he's deaf, I'm not to blame; 



I'll pull it for the gentleman again.'' 



But the first peal 'woke Isaac in a fright. 



Who, quick as lightning, popping up his head, 

 Sat on his head's antipodes in bed, — 



Pale as a parsnip — bolt upright. 



At length, he, wisely, to himself did say, — • 



Calming his fears, — 

 " Tush ; 'tis some fool has rung and run away ;'' — 



When peal the second rattled in his ears ! 



Shove jump'd into the middle of the floor; 



And, trembling at each breath of air that stirr'd, 

 He grop'd down stairs, and open'd the street-door, 



While Toby was performing peal the third. 



Isaac eyed Toby, fearfully askant. 



And saw he was a strapper— stout and tall — 



Then put this question— «' Pray, Sir, what d'ye want ?' 

 Says Toby — " I want nothing, Sir, at all.'' 



" Want nothing ! — Sir, you've puU'd my bell, I vow, 



As if you 'd jerk it off the wire ;'' 

 Quoth Toby— gravely making him a bow — 



" I puU'd it. Sir, at your desire." 



" At mine !" — " Yes, your's— I hope I've done it well 

 High time for bed, Sir ; I was hastening to it : 



But if you write up Please to ring the bell. 



Common politeness makes me stop and do it '" 



ON 



