Page:Reciter (2).pdf/18

 'Ask Mr Such-a-one, he told it me,

But by the bye, 'twas two black crows, not three'

Resolv'd to trace so wondrous an event,

Quick to the third, the virtuoso went:---

'Sir'---and so forth, 'Why yes, the thing is fact,

Though in regard to number, not exact;

It was not two black crows, 'twas only one,

The truth of that you may depend upon:

The gentleman himself told me the case.'

'Where may I find him?' 'Why in such a place.'

Away goes he, and having found him out,

'Sir, be so good as to resolve a doubt;'

Then to his last informant he referr'd,

And begg'd to know if true what he had heard---

'Did you Sir, throw up a black crow?' 'Not I,'

'Bless me, how people propagate a lie!

Black crows have been thrown up, three, two, and one

And here I find all comes at last to none!

Did you say nothing of a crow at all?'

'Crow! crow! perhaps I might, now I recall

The matter o'er.' 'And pray, Sir, what was't?'

'Why, I was horrid sick, and at the last,

I did throw up, and told my neighbour so,

Something that was---as black Sir, as a crow!'

 

, Lady-stay, for mercy's sake,

And hear a helpless Orphan's tale;

Ah! sure my looks must pity wake,

'Tis want that makes my cheeks so pale.

Yet I was once a mother's pride,

And my brave father's hope and joy:

But in the Nile's proud fight he died,

And I am now an Orphan Boy!