27
[A LIAR BY PROFESSION]
As Dick and I at Charing Cross were walking,
Whom should we see on t'other side pass by
But Informator with a stranger talking,
So I exclaim'd, 'Lord, what a lie!'
Quoth Dick—'What, can you hear him?'
'Hear him! stuff!
I saw him open his mouth—an't that enough?'
First published in An. Anth., 1800. First collected P. and D. W., ii. 163. Adapted from Lessing's Sinngedicht No. 142. Auf den Ley. 'Der gute Mann, den Ley beiseite dort gezogen!'
28
TO A PROUD PARENT
Thy babes ne'er greet thee with the father's name;
'My Lud!' they lisp. Now whence can this arise?
Perhaps their mother feels an honest shame
And will not teach her infant to tell lies.