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COMIC PIECES. 



THE MISER'S WILL.* 



OLD SCRAPE-ALL who had long been ailing, 

 Was at a trembling debtor railing; 

 Threat'ning, if he a mite should fail, 

 To whelm him in a neighbouring jail ; 

 When Truth, his neighbour, pass'd that way, 

 The Debtor saw and slipp'd away. 

 Scrape-all then, thus, with sigh profound, 

 And wheezing cough, a church-yard sound ! 

 Address'd, with lifted hand, his friend : 

 " I think my grief will never end ! 

 The hog that wallows in his sty, 

 Has thrice more happiness than I ! 

 My care is now, whilst others sleep, 

 Not how to gain, but how to KEEP." 



Said Truth " As usual, still I see, 

 Brimful of grief and misery ! 

 Riches the things which others bless, 

 To you bring nought but wretchedness ! 

 But tho' your purse is deep and strong, 

 Good sir, you cannot hold it long; 

 Your years on years have so increas'd, 

 You must be fourscore now at least." 



" Speak louder, friend, rny ears do fail, 

 I'm grown as deaf as a door nail." 

 " I say your years have so increas'd, 

 Your must be FOURSCORE years at LEAST." 



* The narrative part of this piece should be delivered in the natural 

 voice of the speaker, but with an earnestness of manner. The tone and 

 manner of Truth should be particularly grave and impressive, and 

 form a contrast with the tremulous, piping voice of Scrape-all. 



