DENNIS DAWSON. 101 



served with all due care by the son of our old land- 

 lord, and may be inspected by any one who is 

 curious in such matters. As for myself, I delight 

 in these records of rural life, although they are 

 only of interest to those who are happily disengaged 

 from the bustle and cares attendant on politics and 

 dissipation. The following are some of Dawson's 

 lines on Phrebe 



No eye has beheld since the reign of Jacobus, 

 A damsel so fair as the sweet Phoebe Cobus. 

 Though fashion in silks and in satins may robe us, 

 'Tis Nature alone decks the sweet Phcebe Cobus, 

 Sing hi diddle, ho diddle, tantarra bobus, 

 No damsel so fair as the sweet Phoebe Cobus. 



Dawson, in addition to his poetic talents, of 

 which the above is a fair specimen, was also apt 

 at parodies. Seeing the worthy vicar helping him- 

 self one day to some fowls and ham, he exclaimed, 

 in imitation of ' Glorious John's ' Alexander's 



feast- 

 He saw the sirloin fat and good 



Of which to fill his plate 



Became his high estate ; 



(Old English royal food) 

 Deserted now, for why the need ; 

 On this he ev'ry Sunday fed. 

 Not so the ham and fowls go by 

 Untouched, &c. 



This parody was received with all due applause, 

 which probably induced him to make our jolly host 

 repeat the following lines on our next club day, 



