It was clear he lay under a curse, None would hold with him any communion; Every day matters grew worse and worse, Till they ended at length in The Union; While his man being caught in some fact, (The particular crime I've forgotten,) When he came to be hanged for the act, Split, and told the whole story to Cotton. Understanding the matter was blown, His employer became apprehensive Of what, when 'twas more fully known, Might ensue--he grew thoughtful and pensive; He purchased some sugar-of-lead, Took it home, popp'd it into his porridge, Ate it up, and then took to his bed, And so died in the workhouse at Norwich. MORAL. Ponder well now, dear Parents, each word That I've wrote, and when Sirius rages In the dog-days, don't be so absurd As to blow yourself out with Green-gages! Of stone-fruits in general be shy, And reflect it's a fact beyond question That Grapes, when they're spelt with an _i_, Promote anything else but digestion.-- --When you set about making your will, Which is commonly done when a body's ill, Mind, and word it with caution and skill, And avoid, if you can, any codicil! When once you've appointed an heir To the fortune you've made, or obtained, ere You leave a reversion, beware Whom you place in contingent remainder! Executors, Guardians, and all Who have children to mind, don't ill treat them, Nor think that, because they are small And weak, you may beat them, and cheat them! Remember that "ill-gotten goods Never thrive;" their possession's but cursory; So never turn out in the woods Little folks you should keep in the nursery. Be sure he who does such base things Will ne'er stifle Conscience's clamour; His "riches will make themselves wings," And his property come to the hammer! Then He,--and not those he bereaves,-- Will have most cause for sighings and sobbings, When he finds _himself_ smother'd with leaves (Of fat catalogues) heaped up by Robins! FOOTNOTES: [46] See Bloomfield's History of the County of Norfolk, in which all the particulars of this lamentable history are (or ought to be) fully detailed, together with the names of the parties, and an elaborate pedigree of the family. * * * * * The incidents recorded in the succeeding Legend were communicated to a dear friend of our family by the late lamented Sir Walter Scott. The names and localities have been scrupulously retained, as she is ready to testify. The proceedings in this case are, I believe, recorded in some of our law reports, though I have never been able to lay my hand upon them. THE DEAD DRUMMER. A LEGEND OF SALISBURY PLAIN.