Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-22
FOX THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.

Ana p.ay'd their pranss. both days and nights.
Invisible could al ay 5 be.
Each wors on said, distinaly hear.
Hngh hfty leagues. from where YOU were:
And il they chose friend TO see,
perhaps yos,'i say the Devil was in it,)
Travel FIVE hundred miles a minute.
Dart through the key hole. quick az tightening,
Often the girls and children frightening.
Old Shakesreer says. il'm not romancns)
That ne nj different times has seen,
These merry sprights, their king and queen
: Near Avon. TO soft music dancing.
BY the moonlight, on the green.
There liv'd IN those same days. (says fame,)
"A laboring couple. poor and old,
The man sot, The wife no srold,
Esteem'd by all. to whom well known. s.
And by their neighbors call'i by name,
OF honest John, and careful Joan.
As one cold night. before their fire,
This worthy couple cheerful sat,
Abour their farm engaged in chat,
Says John how happy is the SQUIRE
And my Joan was bu; just now.
Thinking, and wishing that rs how,
IT we cca'd only bur command,
One horse and one more piece ofland,
Not thing more should desire.
Scarce had these words esca..'d ais lips,
On end ike bris,les stands thei, hair,
The queen of Fa'ys in lightly UPS,
And thus addressed che wond'rin2 pair.
My worthy souls why in such fright,
"You are SO honest that in me.
/" One OF your warriest friends you sec,
And I've come here This very night,
ITO grant TO you of wishes three,
"In earthly goods---for you're to know.
90 hat health, long life, and many more,
"Are by law made long ago,
Notone OF them witlin my pov+'-"
They greatly thank d the bounteous sprigiit.
Who in an instant VANISHED from their sight.
And now says John with look quite wise,
Joan III wish twice, and you wish cnoe,
/" And mind thou beest not a Ounce s5,
/" / wish i had twelve thousand crowns,
3" would this mean low cot renonnce"--
His voice, shower of treasure browns,
JUST AT their feet, with glandscrne eyes,
They see heap Of gold arise.
Now" says old Joan. as I'm a sinner,
81 wish with all my heart my DEAR,
eve may have of Cost. and trouble clear.
"eeef and plumb-pudding for cur dinner
/" On ey'sy day throughout the year"
In rage cries John. " thou has. spoil'a our luck,
." Why Joan thou out thy senses art
" We'll do now with all my heart,
" Sincerely wish thar thou. God knows,
q Had large pudding closely stuck,
" Unto thy ugly bottle nose.
No sooner said than up there rose,
pudding near three pounds ia weight,
And stucls,--Oh. honid 10 relate -
Unto the poor old lady's nose,
And grew so hard, she tugg'd in vain.
Till John relenting wish'd 1t on again
Old John was now ashar'd of labor,
Nay, he so very silly grew,
That Gas most folks are wont TO dc,N
He'd scarcely speak to an old neichbor.
Of his wealth he taik'd with so much pleasure.
(And OF building large house rf stone.
That 1t became 10 robbers known,
Who one night seiZ'd on ali his treasure.
And murder'd him and his wife loan.
How anxious oft. are men TO change their lot,
1 The ploughman from his humble. peaceful cot,
Surveys with aching, and with envious eye,
The rich mans spendor. as he PASSES by,
Nor is aware that often round him war.
l,ride and AMBITION avarice aud haze,
Dire passions, thar his ey'ry ae control.
And check each noble impulse of the soul.
IAN all the wealth. OF all the world combi,,'S.
Setnrn 10 guilty state, the sunshine of the rnind9
an al that wealth, with pornp & power restrain
The dart of death. of sickness. or of nain3
IAN pride avarice. Wills; with smiles they view,
heir coiess hlld with minerals of Perm.
w on 'hose CHESTS, uumov'd. with heart OF stone.
sna hear the widows cries. and op'ian's moan,
N. ne pleasure feel by competence posses.,
v no soo'hes the sorrows. Of the troubled breast.
no bearing sucoor, TO the hovei flies.
here wan disease, with I" shiv'rinr faroiueI;esn
restores to virtues cheek. its faded bloom.
!, no saves the victim from the expecting tomb (,
low oil our wishes, if they're eraiify'd.
nlurc ourselves. and other men beside
! ad not old John. his wish of gold ohfa;r,d
>srhsps in former peace he had rernain,d
5dak to the grave with unpe,ceiv'd deeav.
!. While resignation gently slop'd the way"
Itad Joan suryiy'd TO see upon the board
Ihrcusheut the year, the dainty she ado,,d
Soon cIoy'd 10 loa,hing, with The once how'd disb
. 3ne nsd curs'd herself for making such wish.
Then II yea're b'ess'd with competence :. b,shh
y nd pure eonsciesce, why think much Of weal,b;
: oroear TO wish the world take as it goes,
hes' there should stick, padding to your nose.
~, TYRO.
Richmond, December 10, 1904.
WILL. BE SOLD,
10 the highest bidder, on Mondav the 81 e.