42 
IKK GENTLE SHEPHERD OF SALISBURY PLAIN. 
painted a house, in the open window of which stood a half- 
emptied bottle and an invei’tcd glass: the door also was 
open, supposed to be the exponent of the boundless hospi- 
tality which awaited the wayfarer upon entering. Tlierc 
was also on its iace the figure of a Charles II. cavalier, 
with a shepherd’s crook in his w^arlike hand, and a most 
feline-looking dog crouching at his feet. There was, 
moreover, a horseshoe nailed on its bottom-edge, to scare 
away all Dutchmen’s ghosts; two verses of poetry in the 
centre, to tell the nature of the “treatment” that was to 
be expected; and, finally, w’littcn under the feet of the 
cavalier, the following sentence: — “The Gentle Shep- 
herd of Salisbury Plain.” The poetry, wdiich was written 
in English, French, Latin, and Dutch, is well worthy 
of preservation. It was “got up” at the shepherd’s 
especial request by an English arniy-oflicer who w^as 
fond of fun. Here is how’ it reads: — 
‘Life’s but a journey; let us live on the road,’ says the Gentle 
Shepherd. 
“ Multum in parvo, pro bono publico ; 
Entertainment for man and beast all of a row. 
Lekker Kost as much as you please ; 
Excellent beds, without any fleas. 
“Nos patriam fugimus; now we are here, 
Vivaraus, let us live, by selling beer. 
On donne a boirc ct a manger ici : 
Come in and try it, whoever you be.’’ 
Upon drawing up in front of the establishment from 
wPich this rare signboard w^as hung, we were received 
by the Gentle Sheplierd of Salisbury Plain in person, and 
