And smiles, and talks, until the poet

Hears the band play, and does not know it.

To speak the plain and simple truth,

I always was a jesting youth,
A friend to merriment and fun,
No foe to quibble and to pun;
Therefore I cannot feign a tear;
And, now that I have uttered here
A few unrounded accents, bred
More from the heart than from the head,
Honestly felt, and plainly told,

My lyre is still, my fancy cold.

POEMS OF LIFE AND MANNERS.

PART II.

(1826-1832.)

EVERY-DAY CHARACTERS.

I. THE VICAR.

SOME years ago, ere Time and Taste
Had turned our parish topsy-turvy,
When Darnel Park was Darnel Waste,
And roads as little known as scurvy,
The man who lost his way between
St. Mary's Hill and Sandy Thicket,
Was always shown across the Green,
And guided to the Parson's wicket.

Back flew the bolt of lissom lath;

Fair Margaret in her tidy kirtle, Led the lorn traveller up the path,

Through clean-clipt rows of box and myrtle:

And Don and Sancho, Tramp and Tray,

Upon the parlor steps collected,

Wagged all their tails and seemed to say,

"Our master knows you; you're expected!"