Page:Comic reciter.pdf/5

 :As a whole company of hogs. "But harkee, Ben, i'll grant admittance
 * At the same rate I paid myself."

"Nay, master, leave me half the pittance,"
 * Cried the avaricious elf.

"No, no-all or none; a full aequittance:
 * The terms are somewhat high, I own,

But it was you who fixed the price--not I." So, finding all his haggling vain, Ben, with a grin and groan of pain,
 * Drew out the guinea and restored it.

"Surely you'll give me, "-cried the outwitted Porter,
 * When again admitted,

"Something, now you've done your joking, For all this trouble, time, and soaking.
 * "Oh! surely, surely," Harry cries;

"Since, as you urge, I broke your rest, You are half drowned, and quite undrest,
 * I'll give you--leave to go to bed."

ANON.

A milkmaid, with a very pretty face,
 * Who lived at Acton,

Had a black cow, the ugliest in the place,
 * A crooked back'd one;

A beast as dangerous, too, as she was frightful,
 * Vicious and spiteful,

And so confirm'd a truant, that she bounded Over the hedges daily, and got pounded. "Twas all vain to tie her with a tether, For then both cord and cow cloped together.
 * Arm'd with oaken bough, (what folly!

It should have been of birch, or thorn, or holly.) Patty, one day, was driving home the beast,
 * Which had, as usual, slipp'd its anchor,
 * When on the road she met a certain banker,

Who stopp'd to give his eyes a feast By gazing on her features crimson'd high By a long cow-chase in July. "Are you from Acton, pretty lass," he cried: "Yes, with a courtsey, she replied. "Why, then, you know the laundress, Sally Wrench?" "She is my cousin, sir, and next door neighbour."