"And when repeated losses prov'd, "The brave embattled hosts betrayed; "The gloomy tale they heard unmov'd, "And, smiling, her defeats survey'd.
"No longer then such miscreants join, "To rob the poor of Common Right; "Renounce this guilty scheme of thine, "By other means the town enlight.
"To meddling Majors leave the field, "Who, deeply skill'd in warlike art, "The battle-sword can fiercely wield, "And march their armies 'gainst a Cart.[88]
"The Red Rose gift shall ne'er be seen "Immur'd in filth, and foul'd by crimes; "Nor shall the Lancastrian Green, "Disgrac'd, descend to distant times."
Thus spoke the fierce offended sprite, Then vanishing, with sullen gloom, Through the dark realms of dreary night, He hasten'd to the silent tomb.
The clock struck One, and Sam arose From off his damp and dewy bed, And swore he'd ne'er again oppose What angry JOHN OF GHENT had said.
[88] A great impediment to the manoeuv'ring of the Militia, about 15 years ago.
_Or, Four-footed Petitioners, against the Sale of Nun's-Green. A Terrestrial Poem. Written by me The Celestial Bard!!_
[**pointing hand symbol]I SING OF ASSES:----(A Motto of my own.)
Two _Jack-Asses_, (the _Father_, and his _Son_,) Who, after work, on _Nun's-Green_ us'd to run Exactly like two _Bards_;--the other day Stood in a _muse_;--and then began to bray With human voice;--For _Balaam's_ breed were they.
Quoth _old Ned_, to his _Lad_;--"I have been told, _Nun's-Green_, my little dear, is to be sold To pave, and light, old Derby; (_fulsome town!_) And save the POOR from _laying money down_. Now is it _fair_, that you and I should be Depriv'd of our just _Rights_, and _Property_? It is an _Insult_ on the _Jack-Ass_ kind, Who have possess'd this _Green_, time out of mind; And in Co-partnership with _Pigs_ and _Geese_ (A truly ancient, honorable race!) Enjoy'd a _bit o' mouth_, and Common run, Quite down from _John of Ghent_, to you my son.
"Say little _David_, why the devil should _Asses_ Find fault with _dirty_ ways, and _narrow_ passes? These wild _Projectors_, are the _Asses_ foes, For _pavements_, boy, will only hurt our _toes_; And when the town's improv'd, in proud array We poor _Jack-Asses_, shall be driven away! No _panniers_ then, forsooth, must there be seen, So let us all _unite_ to keep _Nun's-Green_."