Читать книгу Poems Teachers Ask For, Book Two - Various - Страница 58

We are two travellers, Roger and I.

Roger's my dog—Come here, you scamp!

Jump for the gentleman—mind your eye!

Over the table—look out for the lamp!—

The rogue is growing a little old;

Five years we've tramped through wind and weather,

And slept outdoors when nights were cold,

And ate, and drank—and starved together.

We've learned what comfort is, I tell you:

A bed on the floor, a bit of rosin,

A fire to thaw our thumbs (poor fellow,

The paw he holds up there has been frozen),

Plenty of catgut for my fiddle,

(This outdoor business is bad for strings),

Then a few nice buckwheats hot from the griddle,

And Roger and I set up for kings!

No, thank you, Sir, I never drink.

Roger and I are exceedingly moral.

Aren't we, Roger? see him wink.

Well, something hot then, we won't quarrel.

He's thirsty, too—see him nod his head?

What a pity, Sir, that dogs can't talk;

He understands every word that's said,

And he knows good milk from water and chalk.

The truth is, Sir, now I reflect,

I've been so sadly given to grog,

I wonder I've not lost the respect

(Here's to you, Sir!) even of my dog.

But he sticks by through thick and thin;

And this old coat with its empty pockets

And rags that smell of tobacco and gin,

He'll follow while he has eyes in his sockets.

There isn't another creature living

Would do it, and prove, through every disaster,

So fond, so faithful, and so forgiving,

To such a miserable, thankless master.

No, Sir! see him wag his tail and grin—

By George! it makes my old eyes water—

That is, there's something in this gin

That chokes a fellow, but no matter!

We'll have some music, if you're willing.

And Roger (hem! what a plague a cough is, Sir!)

Shall march a little.—Start, you villain!

Paws up! eyes front! salute your officer!

'Bout face! attention! take your rifle!

(Some dogs have arms, you see.) Now hold

Your cap while the gentleman gives a trifle

To aid a poor old patriot soldier!

March! Halt! Now show how the Rebel shakes,

When he stands up to hear his sentence;

Now tell me how many drams it takes

To honor a jolly new acquaintance.

Five yelps—that's five; he's mighty knowing;

The night's before us, fill the glasses;—

Quick, Sir! I'm ill, my brain is going!—

Some brandy,—thank you;—there,—it passes!

Why not reform? That's easily said;

But I've gone through such wretched treatment,

Sometimes forgetting the taste of bread,

And scarce remembering what meat meant,

That my poor stomach's past reform;

And there are times when, mad with thinking,

I'd sell out heaven for something warm

To prop a horrible inward sinking.

Is there a way to forget to think?

At your age, Sir, home, fortune, friends,

A dear girl's love,—but I took to drink;—

The same old story; you know how it ends.

If you could have seen these classic features,—

You needn't laugh, Sir; I was not then

Such a burning libel on God's creatures;

I was one of your handsome men—

If you had seen her, so fair, so young,

Whose head was happy on this breast;

If you could have heard the songs I sung

When the wine went round, you wouldn't have guess'd

That ever I, Sir, should be straying

From door to door, with fiddle and dog,

Ragged and penniless, and playing

To you to-night for a glass of grog.

She's married since,—a parson's wife,

'Twas better for her that we should part;

Better the soberest, prosiest life

Than a blasted home and a broken heart.

I have seen her—once; I was weak and spent

On the dusty road; a carriage stopped,

But little she dreamed as on she went,

Who kissed the coin that her fingers dropped.

You've set me talking, Sir; I'm sorry;

It makes me wild to think of the change!

What do you care for a beggar's story?

Is it amusing? you find it strange?

I had a mother so proud of me!

'Twas well she died before—Do you know

If the happy spirits in heaven can see

The ruin and wretchedness here below?

Another glass, and strong, to deaden

This pain; then Roger and I will start.

I wonder, has he such a lumpish, leaden,

Aching thing, in place of a heart?

He is sad sometimes, and would weep, if he could,

No doubt, remembering things that were,—

A virtuous kennel, with plenty of food,

And himself a sober, respectable cur.

I'm better now; that glass was warming—

You rascal! limber your lazy feet!

We must be fiddling and performing

For supper and bed, or starve in the street.—

Not a very gay life to lead, you think.

But soon we shall go where lodgings are free,

And the sleepers need neither victuals nor drink;—

The sooner, the better for Roger and me.