Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-01-26
44oRtrp-
THE PLEA OF THE MIDSUMMER FAIRIES, SC
BY THOMAS HOOD.

= have read this volume with less pleasure than
ed our perusal of Mr.. Hooh's "Vhin,s and Odditi,
chiefly composed ut gravitieS, which are unGues,io
less entertaining than his former gaieties. Perh
MSS the delightful illustrations that were even ~
sing than the text of the "jfhims, &C." but wa CO
/, at all events, that Mr.. Hood would regard the OF
d those jldicious friends, who, he informs in
ace To that work, were pleased to think his tai
dedly humorous. We extract the following ain
AIRY specimen of that talent, which enlivens the
production! .Nry'ander.
A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW.
Oh, when was tiny boy
My days and nights we've full of Joy,
My mates were blithe aud kind.
No wonder that sometimes sigh,
And dash the tear-drop from my eye,
To cast a look behind!
\ hoop was an eternal round
OF pleasure. In those days found
top joyous thing
But now those past delights drop,
My head, alas! is all nay top,
And careful thoughts the s,iirg!
My marbles-oncc my bag was stor'd--
Now must play with Elgiu lord,
With Thcseus for n taw.
My playful horse has slipt the string,
Forgotten all his capering,
Aud harness'd TO the law.
My kite-kow fast and far it ~
Whilst I, u sort Of Franklin, drew
My pleasures from the skyI
Twas papcr'd DER with s,udious themes,
The tasks wrote-rny present dreams
Will never soar so high!
My joys are winsess all and dead;
My dumps are made of more than lead;
My flights soon find fall;
My fears prevail, my iaucies droop,
Joy never cone,h with houp,
And seldom with call!
My footballs laid upon the shelf,
lam shutt-coc OK myself
The world knocks to and frci
My archery is all unlearnd,
A nd grief against myself has turn'd
My srrows and my bow!
Nc more in noontide sim bask;
My authorship's an endless task,
My heads neer on; of school:
My heart is panied with scurn and slight,
have too many foes TO fight,
And friends grow strangely cool!
The very chum that shared my cake
Holds out so cold baud to shake,
1t makes me shrink and sigh;
Gu this will not dwell aud hang,
he changcling would not feel pang
Though these should meet his eye.
No skies so blue or so serene
AS thrn.-no leaves look half so green
AS clo,h'd the play. ground tee:
Al. things loved Ire altered so,
Nos does it ease my heart to knnw
hat change resides III me.
o, for the garb that markd The boy,
lhe trowsers made of corduroy,
Well ink'd with black and red;
The crownless hat, ue'er deenrd an i'll
II only let the sunshine still
Rcposcupon my head.
O, for the riband round the neck,
The careless dogs ears apt to deck
My book and collar bo,h,
How can this formal man be styled,
Mete!y an Alexandrian child,
A boy of larger growth.
o for that small, small beer anew,
And (heaven's own ,ypc) tina mild sky-blue
mat wasird my sweet meals down;
he master even!-aud that small Turk
That fasgd me!-worse is now nv work
a Tag fer all the town.
O for the lessons learn'd by heart
Ay, though the very birch's smart
Should mark those hours again:
Ia ''kiss tine rod,r and be resign'cs
Seneath the stroke, and even find
oome sugar in the cane!
he Arabian Nights rehearsed in bed,
q he Fairy Tales in school time read,
BY stealth, 'twixt verb and noum
The angel form that always walk'd
In all my dreams, and lool'd and talk'd
Exa city like Miss Brown.
The omnc bene--Christmas GOMEZ
The prize of merit, won for home
Merit had prizes then,
But now write for days and nights,
For fame-a deal ofcmp,y praise,
Without the silver pen!
Then home, sweet home! the crowded coach
The joyous shout-the loud approach
The winding horns like rams!
The meeting sweet that made me thrill,
ane swee,meats almost sweeter still,
NO salts TO the JAMS
When that was tiny boz
My days and nights were full ofiov,
Wy mates were bli,he and kind.
NO wonder that sometimes s,h,
And dash the tear-drop from my ayr,
10 cast a look behind,
Public Sale.