NONSENSEVERSES
nonsenseverses
lazy-bones,lazy-bones,wakeup,andpeep!
thecat'sinthecupboard,yourmother'sasleep.
thereyousitsnoring,forgettingherills;
whoistogiveherherbolusandpills?
twentyfineangelsmustcomeintotown,
allfortohelpyoutomakeyournewgown:
daintyaerialspinsters,andsingers;
aren'tyouashamedtoemploysuchwhitefingers?
delicatehands,ustom'dtoreels,
toset'emaworkingapoorbody'swheels?
whytheycamedownistomeallariddle,
andlefthallelujahbrokeoffinthemiddle:
jove'scourt,andthepresenceangelical,cut—
toekeouttheworkofalazyyoungslut.
angel-duck,angel-duck,winged,andsilly,
pouringawatering-potoveralily,
gardenergratuitous,carelessofpelf,
leavehertowaterherlilyherself,
ortoneglectittodeathifshechuseit:
rememberthelossisherown,ifsheloseit.
onwawd
(oftheeastindiahouse)
whatwawdknows,godknows;
butgodknowswhatwawdknows.
sixepitaphsonensignpeacock
(1799)
marmorloquitur
heliesavolunteersofine,
whodiedofadecline,
asyouori,maydooneday;
reader,thinkofthis,ipray;
andihumblyhopeyou'lldropatear
formypoorroyalvolunteer.
hewasasbraveasbravecouldbe,
nobodywassobraveashe;
hewouldhavediedinhonor'sbed,
onlyhediedathomeinstead.
wellmaytheroyalregimentswear,
theyneverhadsuchavolunteer.
butwhatsoevertheymaysay,
deathisamanthatwillhavehisway:
tho'hewasbutanensigninthisworldofpain;
inthenextwehopehe'llbeacaptain.
andwithoutmeaningtomakeanyreflectiononhismentals,
he'dtobeburiedinregimentals.
ontimothywagstaff
hereliesthebodyoftimothywagstaff,
whowasonceastallandasstraightasaflagstaff;
butnowthathe'sgonetoanotherworld,