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THE PARRICIDE; OR, BLAZING RUINS. 'Twas night! the sky was dark-the tempest lower'dShrill scream'd the bat, ill-omen'd bird of night; The lightnings glared, the rain in torrents poured Nature seem'd wild with grandeur and affright. Returning homeward, fraught with thoughts of bliss, I deem'd it nought the tempest's rage to bear; My boy would climb my knees to steal a kissHis mother, too, the envied gift would share. But, God! conceive the scene that met my sightMy house wrapt in one universal flame; I heard my wife-my child-in dread affright, Shrieking a husband's and a father's name.

Swift as the lightning which played round my head, I rush'd on unattended, and alone;

The flames in rapid conflagration spread,

And, veil'd by smoke, in dreadful dimness shone.
I reach'd my room, but found my treasure gone-
Yet still o'er burning rafters crept my way:
Through fire and smoke I madly hurried on,
Urged by despair, and wing'd by dire dismay.
Shortly I saw-oh! what a sigh was there!
My wife and child upon the burning brink;
But saw them only to increase despair,
Beheld them only to behold them sink.

With dreadful crash the flaring ruins fell,

My wife, my child! I shriek'd—but call'd in vain;
No wife-no child: 'twas past; oh! tale to tell-
I'd seen them sink, never to rise again.

Now burst the tempest-loud the thunders roll;
With louder fury howl'd the raging blast;

But I'd a fiercer tempest in my soul,

One that will rage till life itself be past.

Alone I left this dreary scene of woe

My wife, my child, still present to my mind;

I heard a step approaching soft and slow,
And heard my name repeated from behind.
A man wrapp'd in a cloak of sable dye,

Approach'd, and kneel'd, and begg'a me to forgive;
He said the cause of yonder wreck was he,
He came to attempt my sorrows to relieve.

Frantic with rage, I cried-" Wretch ! thou shalt feel
"The tortures thou'st inflicted, ere we part;"
And in my hand now gleam'd the fatal steel,
I stabb'd-Oh God!-my father to the heart!

"My pardon take, we meet again above,
"Farewell!" pressing my murd'rous hand, he cried
"I fly to join with those who shared your love;"
And praying for his murderer-he died.

Stricken with fear, and tortured by remorse,
I bent my way to a tremendous steep;
To hide the deed, I there conveyed the corse,
And hurl'd my father's body in the deep.

Far from my native land I took my way,
But still could find no peace, obtain no rest;
Still would my looks, my words, my acts, betray
The horrid secret that pervades my breast.

Yet still the bloody dagger haunts my mind;
Again I 'whelm him in the splashing deep;
Still are his groans borne on the howling wind,
Again the furious billows o'er him sweep.

Still do the shrieks of torture rend my soul;
Still do the blazing ruins meet my sight;

In awful peals still do the thunders roll-
The lightnings still increase the gloom of night,

Oh, God! the thought on't sure will drive me wild!
Rescue was vain-no mortal arm could save;
But yet, again, I'll meet my wife, my child-
Meet in the cold, the silent, peaceful grave!

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THE HAUNCH OF VENISON.

At Number One dwelt Captain Drew,
George Benson dwelt at Number Two,

(The street we'll not now mention):
The latter stunn'd the King's Bench bar,
The former, being lamed in war
Sung small upon a pension.

Tom Blewit knew them both-than he
None deeper in the mystery
Of culinary knowledge;'
From Turtle soup to Stilton cheese,'
Apt student, taking his degrees
In Mrs. Rundell's College.

Benson to dine invited Tom:
Proud of an invitation from

A host who "spread" so nicely, Tom answer'd, ere the ink was dry, "Extremely happy-come on Friday next, at six precisely."

Blewit, with expectation fraught,
Drove up at six, each savoury thought
Ideal turbot rich in ;

But, ere he reach'd the winning post,,
He saw a haunch of ven'son roast
Down in the next-door kitchen.

"Hey! zounds! what's this? a haunch at Drew's! "I must drop in; I can't refuse :

"To pass were downright treason:

"To cut Ñed Benson's not quite staunch; "But the provocative-a haunch!

"Zounds! it's the first this season!

"Ven'son, thou'rt mine! I'll talk no more,-
Then rapping thrice at Benson's door,
"John, I'm in such a hurry!

"Do tell your master that my aunt "Is paralytic, quite aslant,

"I must be off for Surrey."

Now Tom at next door makes a din-

"Is Captain Drew at home?"--" Walk in."_ "Drew, how d'ye do ?"_" What! Blewit!" "Yes, I-you've ask'd me, many a day, "To drop in, in a quiet way,

"So now I'm come to do it."

"I'm very glad you have," said Drew, "I've nothing but an Irish stew."

Quoth Tom, aside," No matter, ""Twont do my stomach's up to that""Twill lie by, till the lucid fat "Comes quiv'ring in the platter."

"You see your dinner, Tom," Drew cried. No, but I don't though," Tom replied:

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"I smoked below""What?"" Ven'son"A haunch."-" Oh! true-it is not mine; "My neighbour had some friends to dine-"

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"Your neighbour ! who?"-" George Benson.

"His chimney smoked; the scene to change,
let him have my kitchen range,
"While his was newly polish'd:

"The ven'son you observed below
"Went home just half an hour ago:
"I guess it's now demolished.

"Why, Tom, that look of doubtful dread?
"Come, help yourself to salt and bread-
"Don't sit with hands and knees up;

"But dine, for once, off Irish stew,
"And read the 'Dog and Shadow' through,
"When next you open Æsop."

THE OYSTER.

Two comrades, as grave authors say,
(But in what chapter, page, or line,
Ye critics, if ye please, define)
Had found an oyster in their way.
Contest and foul debate arose,

Both view'd at once with greedy eyes,
Both challenged the delicious prize,
And high words soon improved to blows.
Actions on actions hence succeed,
Each hero's obstinately stout,

Green bags and parchments Hy about,
Pleadings are drawn, and counsel fee'd.
The lawyer of the place, good man!
Whose kind and charitable heart
In human ills still bore a part,
Thrice shook his head, and thus began:
"Neighbours and friends, refer to me
"This doughty matter in dispute;
"I'll soon decide the important suit,
"And finish all without a fee.

"Give me the oyster then-'tis well."He opens it, and at one sup Gulps the contested trifle up, And, smiling, gives to each a shell. "Henceforth let foolish discord cease,

"Your oyster's good as e'er was eat; "I thank you for my dainty treat; "God bless you both! go leave in peace!" Ye men of Norfolk and of Wales, From this learn common sense; Nor thrust your neighbours into jails For every slight offence.

Banish those vermin of debate,,

That on your substance feed;

The knaves, who now are served in plate,

Would starve, if fools agreed.

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