Stories and Poems — Hannah More

THE HACKNEY COACHMANOR, THE WAY TO GET A GOOD FARE, TO THE TUNE OF—“I WISH I WAS A FISHERMAN”By Hannah More I am a bold coachman, and drive a good hack,With a coat of five capes that quite covers my back;And my wife keeps a sausage-shop, not many milesFrom the narrowest alley in all broad St. Giles. Though poor, we are honest and very content;We pay, as we go, for meat, drink, and for rent;To work all the week I am able and willing;I never get drunk, and I waste not a shilling. And while at a tavern my gentleman...

KING DIONYSIUS AND SQUIRE DAMOCLESA NEW SONG TO AN OLD STORY PROPER TO BE SUNG AT ALL FEASTS AND MERRY MEETINGSBy Hannah More There was a heathen man, sir,Belonging to a king;And still it was his plan, sir,To covet every thing. And if you don’t believe me,I’ll name him, if you please;For let me not deceive ye,’Twas one Squire Damocles. He thought that jolly livingMust every joy afford;His heart knew no misgiving,While round the festive board. He wanted to be great, sir,And feed on fare delicious,And have his feasts in state, sir,Just like King Dionysius. The king, to cure his...

THE HONEST MILLER OF GLOUCESTERSHIREA TRUE BALLADBy Hannah More Of all the callings and the tradesWhich in our land abound,The miller’s is as useful, sure,As can on earth be found. The lord or squire of high degreeIs needful to the state,Because he lets the land he ownsIn farms both small and great. The farmer, he manures the land,Or else what corn could grow?The ploughman cuts the furrow deepEre he begins to sow. And though no wealth he has, exceptThe labor of his hands,Yet honest industry’s as goodAs houses or as lands. The thresher, he is useful tooTo all who like...

THE BAD BARGAINOR, THE WORLD SET UP TO SALEBy Hannah More The devil, as the Scriptures show,Tempts sinful mortals, high and low;And, acting well his various part,Suits every bribe to every heart.See there the prince of darkness stands,With baits for souls in both his hands. To one he offers empires whole,And gives a sceptre for a soul;To one he freely gives in barterA peerage, or a star and garter;To one he pays polite attention,And begs him just to take a pension. Some are so fired with love of fame,He bribes them by an empty name;For fame they toil, they preach,...

THE IMPOSSIBILITY CONQUEREDOR, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF IN THE MANNER OF SIR WALTER RALEIGHBy Hannah More THE OBJECTOR 1. Each man who lives, the Scriptures prove,Must as himself his neighbor love;But though the precept’s full of beauty,’Tis an impracticable duty:I’ll prove how hard it is to findA lover of this wondrous kind. 2. Who loves himself to great excess,You’ll grant, must love his neighbor less;When self engrosses all the heart,How can another have a part?Then, if self-love most men inthrall,A neighbor’s share is none at all. 3. Say, can the man who hoards up pelfE’er love his neighbor as...