Stories and Poems

THE RIOTOR, HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO BREAD IN A DIALOGUE BETWEEN JACK ANVIL AND TOM HOD, TO THE TUNE OF—“A COBBLER THERE WAS”Written in Ninety-five, a Year of Scarcity and AlarmBy Hannah More TOM“Come, neighbors, no longer be patient and quiet,Come, let us go kick up a bit of a riot;I’m hungry, my lads, but I’ve little to eat,So we’ll pull down the mills, and we’ll seize all the meat:I’ll give you good sport, boys, as ever you saw;So a fig for the justice, a fig for the law.Derry down.” Then his pitchfork Tom seized.—“Hold a moment,”...

THE CARPENTEROR, THE DANGER OF EVIL COMPANYBy Hannah More There was a young west country man,A carpenter by trade,A skilful wheelwright too was he,And few such wagons made. No man a tighter barn could build,Throughout his native town;Through many a village round was heThe best of workmen known. His father left him what he had,—In sooth it was enough,—His shining pewter, pots of brass,And all his household stuff. A little cottage too he had,For ease and comfort planned;And, that he might not lack for aught,An acre of good land. A pleasant orchard too there wasBefore his cottage door:Of cider and...

ROBERT AND RICHARDOR, THE GHOST OF POOR MOLLY WHO WAS DROWNED IN RICHARD’S MILL-PONDTUNE—“COLLINS’S MULBERRY-TREE”By Hannah More Quoth Richard to Bob, “Let things go as they will,Of pleasure and fun I will still have my fill;In frolic and mirth I see nothing amiss,And, though I get tipsy, what harm is in this? “For e’en Solomon says,—and I vow he says truth,—‘Rejoice, O young man, in the days of thy youth.’”“I’m glad,” answered Bob, “you’re of Solomon’s creed;But I beg, if you quote him, you’ll please to proceed; “For ‘God (as the wise man continues to sing)Thy soul into judgment for...

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...