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As delicate as first love— As white and red as a maiden's cheek— As palateable as well-timed flattery— As light and filling as the gas of a balloon— As smooth as a courtier— As odorous as the flowers of Jasmin— As soft as flos silk— As encouraging, without being so illusory, as Hope— As tempting as green herbage to lean kine— —————— a Chancery suit to the Bill of a cormorant-lawyer— —————— a pump to a thirsty paviour— —————— a sun-flower to a bee— —————— a ripe melon to a fruit-knife— —————— a rose to a nightingale—or —————— a pot of treacle to a blue-bottle— As beautiful to the eye as a page of virgin-vellum richly illuminated And As satisfactory as a fat legacy! |
Talk of nectar! if Jupiter should really wish to give a bonne-bouche to Juno, Leda, or Venus, or any one of his thousand and one flames, let him skim the milky-way—transform the instrumental part of the music of the spheres into 'hautboys,' and compound the only dish worth the roseate lips of the gentle dames 'in nubibus,' and depend on it, the cups of Ganymede and Hebe will be rejected for a bowl of—Strawberries and Cream.
A DAY'S PLEASURE.—No. I.
THE JOURNEY OUT.
"It's werry hot, but werry pleasant."
"It's werry hot, but werry pleasant."
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SAYS Mrs. Sibson to her spouse "The days is hot and fair; I think 'twould do the children good To get a little hair! "For ve've been moping here at home And nothin' seen o' life; Vhile neighbor Jones he takes his jaunts O' Sundays vith his vife!" "Vell! vell! my dear," quoth Mr. S____ "Let's hear vot you purpose; I'm al'ays ready to comply, As you, my love, vell knows. "I'll make no bones about the cost; You knows I never stick About a trifle to amuse, So, dearest Pol, be quick." "Vhy, this is it:—I think ve might To Hornsey have a day; Maria, Peg, and Sal, and Bet Ve'd pack into a 'chay.' "Our Jim and Harry both could valk, (God bless their little feet!) The babby in my arms I'd take— I'm sure 'twould be a treat;" Quoth he: "I am unanimous!" And so the day was fix'd; And forth they started in good trim, Tho' not with toil umnix'd. Across his shoulders Sibson bore A basket with the "grub," And to the "chay" perform'd the "horse," Lest Mrs. S____ should snub. Apollo smiled!—that is, the sun Blazed in a cloudless sky, And Sibson soon was in a "broil" By dragging of his "fry." Says S____, "My love, I'm dry as dust!" When she replied, quite gay, "Then, drink; for see I've bottled up My spirits for the day." And from the basket drew a flask, And eke a footless glass; He quaff'd the drink, and cried, "Now, dear, I'm strong as ____" let that pass! At last they reach'd the destined spot And prop and babes unpacked; They ran about, and stuff'd, and cramm'd, And really nothing lack'd. And Sibson, as he "blew a cloud," Declared, "It vos a day!" And vow'd that he would come again— Then call'd for "Vot's to pay?" |