244 COMIC PIECES. 



And I will think on this affair, 

 And if needs be appoint my heir." 



Cried Truth, " No moment lose ! you now 

 Your head with age and palsy bow ! 

 I guess when Jack your wealth has got, 

 He soon will spend it all ! a Sot ! 

 And ere you've closed your eyes a year, 

 Behind a prison grate appear !" 



" My spendthrift nephew, here, I swear ! 

 Shall never be rich Scrape-all's heir T' 

 " Then make your Will! or 'twill be so ! 

 He'll have it all, when you are low !" 

 " What ! make my will just in my prime, 

 Twould be to die before my time." 



" Nay," Truth replied. ' be well content ! 



You will not die, nor Jack lament, 



The sooner for this instrument. 



And I would more in candour say 



Do good, friend Scrape-all, while you may! 



Erect, and you will gain renown, 



A school within your native town ; 



Then build a hospital, that fame, 



When you are dead, may bless your name, 



For you 'twill be a small bequest, 



Your nephew then may spend the rest." 



Cried Scrape-all, " NEVER, whilst I live, 

 Will I a mite to any give ! 

 No, no ! good neighbour, to the last, 

 With bolt and bar I'll hold it fast ! 

 And as I cannot give, when dead, 

 The law shall give it in my stead ! 

 But as for Jack, again I swear, 



The rogue shall NEVER be my heir!" 



One year is past ! let thirst of gold 



Its object and its end behold ! 



Whilst none their different lots bewail 



SCRAPE-ALL is DEAD ! and JACK'S in JAIL ! ! 





