Page:Thrummy cap (2).pdf/22

 22.               Ere Ball could stride the rut amain, The gig came thundering on, Crash went the panier, and the dame And Ball lay overthrown.

Now through the town the mettled pair Ran rattling o'er the stones, They drove the crowd from side to side, And shook poor Jehu's bones.

When lo! directly in the course, A monstrous form appear'd;               A shaggy bear that stalk'd and roar'd,                  On hinder legs uprear'd.

Sideways they started at the sight, And whisk'd the gig half round, Then cross the crowded market place They few with furious bound.

First o'er a heap of crockery ware, The rapid car they whirl'd;               And jugs and mugs and pans, In fragments wide were hurl'd.

A booth stood near, with tempting cakes And grocery richly fraught; All Birmingham on 'tother side, The dazzling optics caught.

With-active spring the nimble steeds Rush'd through the pass between, And scarcely touch'd; the car behind Got through not quite so clean: