Songs Of The Road Part 2

Bring round the sorrel mare, If them monkeys come inquirin' you can send 'em on down there."

Well, Jeremiah rode to 'ounds, exactly as 'e said.

But all the time the doctor's words were ringin' in 'is 'ead — "If you don't stop yourself, young chap, you've got to pay the price, There are many sorts of visions, but none of 'em is nice."

They found that day at Leonards Lee and ran to Shipley Wood, 'Ell-for-leather all the way, with scent and weather good.

[31] Never a check to 'Orton Beck and on across the Weald, And all the way the Suss.e.x clay was weed- in' out the field.

There's not a man among them could remember such a run, Straight as a rule to Bramber Pool and on by Annington, They followed still past Breeding 'ill and on by Steyning Town, Until they'd cleared the 'edges and were out upon the Down.

Full thirty mile from Plimmers Style, without a check or fault, Full thirty mile the 'ounds 'ad run and never called a 'alt.

[32] One by one the Field was done until at Finden Down, There was no one with the 'untsman save young Jeremiah Brown.

And then the 'untsman 'e was beat. 'Is 'orse 'ad tripped and fell.

"By George," said Brown, "I'll go alone, and follow it to well, The place that it belongs to." And as 'e made the vow, There broke from right in front of 'im the queerest kind of row.

There lay a copse of 'azels on the border of the track, And into this two 'ounds 'ad run them two was all the pack — [33] And now from these 'ere 'azels there came a fearsome 'owl, With a yappin' and a snappin' and a wicked snarlin' growl.

Jeremiah's blood ran cold a frightened man was 'e, But he b.u.t.ted through the bushes just to see what 'e could see, And there beneath their shadow, blood drippin' from his jaws, Was an awful creature standin' with a 'ound beneath its paws.

A fox? Five foxes rolled in one a pony's weight and size, A rampin', ragin' devil, all fangs and 'air and eyes; [34] Too scared to speak, with shriek on shriek, Brown galloped from the sight With just one thought within 'is mind — "The doctor told me right."

That evenin' late the minister was seated in his study, When in there rushed a 'untin' man, all travel-stained and muddy, "Give me the Testament!" he cried, "And 'ear my sacred vow, That not one drop of drink shall ever pa.s.s my lips from now."

'E swore it and 'e kept it and 'e keeps it to this day, 'E 'as turned from gin to ginger and says 'e finds it pay, [35] You can search the whole o' Suss.e.x from 'ere to Brighton Town, And you wouldn't find a better man than Jeremiah Brown.

And the vision it was just a wolf, a big Siberian, A great, fierce, 'ungry devil from a show- man's caravan, But it saved 'im from perdition and I don't mind if I do, I 'aven't seen no wolf myself so 'ere's my best to you!

THE BAY HORSE [36]

Squire wants the bay horse, For it is the best.

Squire holds the mortgage; Where's the interest?

Haven't got the interest, Can't raise a sou; Shan't sell the bay horse, Whatever he may do.

Did you see the bay horse?

Such a one to go!

He took a bit of ridin', When I showed him at the Show.

[37] First prize the broad jump, First prize the high; Gold medal, Cla.s.s A, You'll see it by-and-by.

I bred the bay horse On the Withy Farm.

I broke the bay horse, He broke my arm.

Don't blame the bay horse, Blame the brittle bone, I bred him and I've fed him, And he's all my very own.

Just watch the bay horse Chock full of sense!

Ain't he just beautiful, Risin' to a fence!

[38] Just hear the bay horse Whinin' in his stall, Purrin' like a p.u.s.s.y cat When he hears me call.

But if Squire's lawyer Serves me with his writ, I'll take the bay horse To Marley gravel pit.

Over the quarry edge, I'll sit him tight, If he wants the brown hide, He's welcome to the white!

THE OUTCASTS [39]

Three women stood by the river's flood In the gas-lamp's murky light, A devil watched them on the left, And an angel on the right.

The clouds of lead flowed overhead; The leaden stream below; They marvelled much, that outcast three, Why Fate should use them so.

Said one: "I have a mother dear, Who lieth ill abed, And by my sin the wage I win From which she hath her bread."

[40] Said one: "I am an outcast's child, And such I came on earth.

If me ye blame, for this my shame, Whom blame ye for my birth?"

The third she sank a sin-blotched face, And prayed that she might rest, In the weary flow of the stream below, As on her mother's breast.

Now past there came a G.o.dly man, Of goodly stock and blood, And as he pa.s.sed one frown he cast At that sad sisterhood.

Sorely it grieved that G.o.dly man, To see so foul a sight, He turned his face, and strode apace, And left them to the night.

[41] But the angel drew her sisters three, Within her pinions' span, And the crouching devil slunk away To join the G.o.dly man.

THE END [42]

"Tell me what to get and I will get it."

"Then get that picture that the girl in white."

"Now tell me where you wish that I should set it."

"Lean it where I can see it in the light."

"If there is more, sir, you have but to say it."

"Then bring those letters those which lie apart."

[43] "Here is the packet! Tell me where to lay it."

"Stoop over, nurse, and lay it on my heart."

"Thanks for your silence, nurse! You understand me!

And now I'll try to manage for myself.

But, as you go, I'll trouble you to hand me The small blue bottle there upon the shelf.

"And so farewell! I feel that I am keeping The sunlight from you; may your walk be bright!

[44] When you return I may perchance be sleeping, So, ere you go, one hand-clasp and good night!"