THE FORESTERS. 33 



This gorgeous store will all your wants supply ; 



Three long tobacco-pipes the shelf adorns ; 



Two rusty penknives fit to saw your corns ; 



One rag of calico in musty folds ; 



A stick of liquorice-ball for coughs and colds; 



And one half keg of brandy, glorious cheer, 



Arrives from Philadelphia once a year. 



What boundless wealth ! what can they wish for more 



Who such a tavern meet, and such a store ? 



To crown the whole — defiled from ear to ear, 



Behold the majesty of clouts appear ! 



The ragged lord of all this costly scene, 



Whose hands and face old ocean scarce could clean ; 



Whose sun-burnt leas and arms and shoulders boro 



What once was coat and trowsers — such no more ! 



But shapeless fragments, gashed with holes profound, 



And rag-formed fringes dangling all around. 



Bent o'er a tub that once tobacco knew, 



And still from whence the dear effluvia flew, 



Pat grumbling stood ; and while he eager viewed 



Each nook and seam, the scanty gleanings chewed; 



His busy mouth such savory joys exprest, 



That scarce our stifled laughter we supprest. 



On this foul mass of misery as we gazed, 



The man of rags his brandy loudl}- praised; 



Leech sought the door, disgusted with the scene, 



And Duncan followed, grasping hard his cane ; 



Our bard, alone, with pleasure in his face, 



Silent surveyed the wonders of the place, 



In whose vile groups he but a picture saw. 



That all might marvel at, but few could draw. 



C 



