A WINTER SKETCH. By WILLIAM CASE, Junr. From his Urn now Aquarius his waters is pouring, Late the eye gazed enraptur'd on vales, where with lustre Bright beaming fair Ceres so beauteously smil'd; Where the deep-blushing fruit hung in many a cluster, Now far, far extends a waste cheerless and wild. The trees, in whose shades once the heart grew elater, But Spring, round her brows a green chaplet entwining, Ere long with wild flowrets shall tapestry the grove; And all the plum'd warblers, their descants combining, Shall welcome the season of joyance and love. FIRE, FAMINE, & SLAUGHTER. A WAR ECLOGUE. The SCENE, a desolated Tract in La Vendee.-FAMINE is discovered lying on the ground: to her enter FIRE and SLAUGHTER. FAMINE. Sisters! Sisters! who sent you here? SLAUGHTER (to FIRE) I will whisper it in her ear. No! no! no! FIRE. Spirits hear what Spirits tell, 'Twill make an holiday in Hell. No no! no! Myself I nam'd him once below, And all the souls, that damned be, Leapt up at once in anarchy, Clapp'd their hands and danced for glee. They no longer heeded ME; But laugh'd to hear Hell's burning rafters Spirits hear what Spirits tell, FAMINE. Whisper it, Sister! so and so! SLAUGHTER. Letters four do form his name And who sent you? BOTH. The same! the same! SLAUGHTER. He came by stealth, and unlock'd my den, Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cry'd Halloo! To him alone the praise is due.. FAMINE. Thanks, Sister! thanks! the men have bled, With Bones and Skulls I made a rattle, To frighten the wolf and the carrion crow BOTH. Whisper it, Sister! in our ear. FAMINE. A baby beat its dying mother, I had starv'd the one, and was starving the other! Who bade you do't? BOTH. FAMINE. The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cry'd Halloo! To him alone the praise is due. FIRE. Sisters! I from Ireland came Hedge and corn-fields all on flame, To see the swelter'd cattle run The house-stream met the flames, and hiss'd, On some of those old bed-rid nurses, That deal in discontent and curses. Letters four do form his name, He let me loose and cry'd Halloo ! To him alone the praise is due. |