Page:The Ingoldsby Legends (Frowde, 1905).pdf/99

 Javing once gained the summit, and managed to cross it, be

Rolls down the side with uncommon velocity;

But, run as he will,

Or roll down the hill,

That bugbear behind him is after him still f

And close at his heels, not at all to his liking,

The terrible clock keeps on ticking and striking,

Till, exhausted and sore,

He can't run any more,

But falls as he reaches Miss Davis's door.

And screams when they rush out, alarm'd at his knoek,

Oh! Look at the Clock! Do! Look at the Clock!!'

Miss Davis look'd up, Miss Davis look'd down,

She saw nothing there to alarm her;-a frown

Came o'er her white forehead,

She said, 'It was horrid

A man should come knocking at that time of night,

And give her Mamma and herself such a fright;-

To squall and to bawl

About nothing at all!'

She begg'd he'd not think of repeating his call,

His late wife's disaster

By no means had past her,'

She'd have him to know she was nicat for his Master!

Then regardless alike of his love and his wors

She turn'd on her heel and she turn'd up her nose.

Poor David in vain

Implored to remain,

He dare not,' he said, 'cross the mountain again."

Why the fair was obdurate

None knows,-to be sure, it

Was said she was setting her cap at the Curate;-

Be that as it may, it is certain the sole hole

Pryec found to creep into that night was the Cual-hole!

In that shady retreat

With nothing to eat,

And with very bruised limbs, and with very sore feet,

All night close he kept;

I can't say he slept;

But he sigh'd, and he sobb'd, and he groan'd, and he wept;

Lamenting his sins,

And his two broken shina,

Bewailing his fate with contortions and grins,

And her he once thought a complete Rara Aris,

Consigning to Satan,-viz., cruel Miss Davis!

Mr. David has since had a serious call,

He never drinks ale, wine, or spirits, at all,