Page:A poetic survey round Birmingham - James Bisset - 1800.pdf/24

 To, with speed , they bent their flight, And lighted, just on the edge of night; formsthey veil'd in dark disguise, And seem'd like mortal men, to mortal eyes.

Old 's Smithy soon, with ease, they found, Directed by the thund'ring anvil's sound; To see the limping they straight repair, Secure of finding friendly welcome there. The moment they approach'd, old knew His guests, and then to meet them flew; His hammer thrown aside, he apace, Alternate each he clasp’d, in close embrace; Straight to his then the Gods he led To pas the night, and take a friendly bed. The best of ev 'ry sort was order'd out, , with and  stout; O'erjoy’d, on earth, to see such worthy friends, The sparkling glas he round the table sends.

They talk'd of former times, they sang and laugh’d, They smok’d, crack 'd jokes, and friendly bumpers quaff’d ; As prais'd the amber ale, sang, and told a tale. The well pleas'd, the guests quite blythe and gay, In mirth and glee the ev ’ning pas’d away.

The now told their errand— smil'd— With various anecdotes the time beguil'd;