Lyrical tales — Context and Discussion

This little joke, Miss DEBBY taught him, To vex a young and pretty neighbour; But by her scandal-zealous labour To shame she brought him! For, the Old PARROT, like his teacher Was but a false and canting preacher, And many a gamesome pair had sworn Such lessons were not to be borne.

At last, Miss DEBBY sore was flouted And by her angry neighbours scouted; She never knew one hour of rest, Of ev’ry Saucy Boor, the jest: The young despis’d her, and the Sage Look’d back on Time’s impartial page; They knew that youth was giv’n to prove The season of extatic joy, That none but Cynics would destroy, The early buds of Love. They also knew that DEBBY sigh’d For charms that envious Time deny’d; That she was vex’d with jealous Spleen That Hymen pass’d her by, unseen.

For though the Spinster’s wealth was known, _Gold_ will not purchase Love—_alone_. She, and her PARROT, now were thought The torments of their little Sphere; He, because mischievously taught, And She, because a maid austere!— In short, she deem’d it wise to leave A Place, where none remain’d, to grieve.

Soon, to a distant town remov’d, Miss DEBBY’s gold an husband bought; And all she had her PARROT taught, (Her PARROT now no more belov’d,) Was quite forgotten. But, alas! As Fate would have it come to pass, Her Spouse was giv’n to jealous rage, For, both in _Person_ and in _Age_, He was the partner of his love, Ordain’d her second Self to prove!

One day, Old JENKINS had been out With merry friends to dine, And, freely talking, had, no doubt Been also free with wine. One said, of all the wanton gay In the whole parish search it round, None like the PARSON could be found, Where a frail Maid was in the way. Another thought the Parson sure To win the heart of maid or wife; And would have freely pledg’d his life That young, or old, or rich or poor None could defy The magic of his roving eye!

JENKINS went home, but all the night He dream’d of this strange tale! Yet, bless’d his stars! with proud delight, His partner was not young, nor frail. Next morning, at the breakfast table. The PARROT, loud as he was able, Was heard repeatedly to cry, “_Who with the Parson toy’d? O fie!_”

Old JENKINS listen’d, and grew pale, The PARROT then, more loudly scream’d, And MISTRESS JENKINS heard the tale And much alarm’d she seem’d! Trembling she tried to stop his breath, Her lips and cheek as pale as death! The more she trembled, still the more Old JENKINS view’d her o’er and o’er; And now her yellow cheek was spread With blushes of the deepest red.

And now again the PARROT’s Tale Made his old Tutoress doubly pale; For cowardice and guilt, they say Are the twin brothers of the soul; So MISTRESS JENKINS, her dismay Could not controul! While the accuser, now grown bold, Thrice o’er, the tale of mischief told.

Now JENKINS from the table rose, “_Who with the Parson toy’d?_” he cried. “So MISTRESS FRAILTY, you must play, “And sport, your wanton hours away. “And with your gold, a pretty joke, “You thought to buy a pleasant cloak; “A screen to hide your shame—but know “I will not _blind_ to ruin go.— “I am no _modern Spouse_, dy’e see, “_Gold_ will not _gild disgrace_, with me!” Some say he seiz’d his fearful bride, And came to blows! Day after day, the contest dire Augmented, with resistless ire! And many a drubbing DEBBY bought For mischief, she her PARROT taught!

Thus, SLANDER turns against its maker; And if this little Story reaches A SPINSTER, who her PARROT teaches, Let her a better task pursue, And here, the certain VENGEANCE view Which surely will, in TIME, O’ERTAKE HER.

Dark was the dawn, and o’er the deep The boist’rous whirlwinds blew; The Sea-bird wheel’d its circling sweep, And all was drear to view— When on the beach that binds the western shore The love-lorn ZELMA stood, list’ning the tempest’s roar.

Her eager Eyes beheld the main, While on her DRACO dear She madly call’d, but call’d in vain, No sound could DRACO hear, Save the shrill yelling of the fateful blast, While ev’ry Seaman’s heart, quick shudder’d as it past.