Page:Comical history of the collier's wedding.pdf/19

 19 Works hard but cannot hit a joint;

The bride ſat nigh, ſhe roſe in prim',

And cut and tore it limb from limb.

Now geeſe, cock hens, their fury feel,

Extended jaws devour the veal;

Each rives, and eats what he can get,

And all is fiſh that comes to net;

No qualmiſh appetites here fit,

None curious for a dainty bit.

The bridegroom waits with active force

And brings them drink 'twixt ev'ry courſe

With napkin round his body girt,

To keep his cloaths from greaſe and dirt.

With buſy face he runs about,

To fill the pots which are drunk out.

Old Beſſy, dreſs'd in all her airs,

Gives her attendance in the ſtairs,

There ſhe receives the broken meat,

Juſt when it is not fit to eat;

Plates, knives, and ſpoons about are toſt,

The old wife's care's that nought be loſt

By her the borrow'd things are known,

She wiſhes folks may get their own.

Now all are full, the meat away,

The table drawn, the muſic play;

The bridegroom firſt aſſumes the floor,

And dances all the maidens o'er;

Then rubs his face, and makes a bow,

So marches off what can he do?

He muſt not tire himſelf outright,

He expects another dance at night.

In ev'ry room both high and low,