The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-07-26
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From the New Monthly Magazine.

The reader will be reminded, by the follow
ing lines, of the beautiful poem, by Byron,
beginning with
81 had a dream" &c.
THE OLD HAT.
I had HIATT was not all hat
Part Of the brim was gone; yet still wore
It on, and people wonder d as passed.
Some turned to gazc--others just cast an eye,
And soon withdrew il, as 'twere in contempt.
But still my hat, although so fashioness
in the complement extern, had that within
Surpassing show-my head continued warm;
Being sheltered from the weather, spite Of all
The want (as had been said before) Of brm.
A change came DER the color Of my hat
That, which was black, grew brown--and
then men stared
With both their eyes (they stared with one
before)
The wonder now was two.fold-and it seem
Strange that thing so old and torn should
still
BE borne by one who might but let that pass
had my reasons, which might be revealed
But for some counter reasons, far moro strong,
Which tied my tongue to silence. Time pass
ed on,
Green Spring and fowery Summer, Autumn
brown
And frosty winter came and went, and came
And still, through all the seasons Of two years,
In park, in city, yea, at routes and balls,
The hat was worn and borne: The folks grew
With curiosity, and whispers rose,
And questions passed about--how one SO trim
In coats, boots, pumps, gloves, trowsers,-
should insconce
His caput in a covering so vile.
A change came DER the nature Of my hat
Grease spots appoared-but still in silence, on
wore it-and then family and friends
Gared madly at each other. There was one
Who said-but hold--no matter what was
said
A time may come when I--away- away
Not till the seasons ripe can reveal
Thoughts that do lie too deep for common
minds
Till then tho world shall not pluck out the
heart
OF this my mystery--When will will!
Tho hat was now--greasy and old, and torn
But torn--old-greasy, still ] wore it on.
A change came DER the business of this hat
Women and men and children, scowld on me;
My company was shunned-I was alone!
Mono would associate with such hat
Friendship itself proved faithless for a hat.
She that loved, within whose gentle breast
Loves fires went out-extinguished by hat
OF those who oknow me be st, some turned aside
And scudded down dark lanes; one man did
place
His finger on his noses's side, and jeered.
Others in horrid mockery laughed outright
Yea, dogs deceived by instincts dubious ray,
Fixing their swart glance on my ragged hat,
Mistook me for beggar, and they barked.
Thus women, men, friends, strangers, lovers,
dogs,
One thought porvaded allit was my hat.
A change, it was the last, came DER this hat.
For 10 at length the circling months went
round;
The period was accomplished and ono day
This tattored, brown, old, greasy coverture,
(Timc had ondearod its vlcncss) was trans
ferred
To the possession ola wandering son
OF lsracls fated race and friends once more
Greeted my digits with the wonted squeeze
Once more went my wuy-along--along
And plucked no wondering gazo--the hand of
With its annoying finger mon and dogs,
Onco more grew pointlcss, jokelcss, laughless,
growlless--
And last, not least Of rescued blessings, love
Love smiled OH me again, when assumed
A bran new beaver ofths Andremould;
Then the laugh was mine, for then out came
The secret Of this strangeness-- twas bet l.!
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