Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-05
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
From, the Comic Offering for 1883.
THE MERRY FRIAR.
al am friar Of orders grey "-sos0

The MERRY FkiAk
"Iam frar Of orders grey "-sose
On one Of those warm evenings of July, when
incidence reigns triumphant alike over the sun.
burnt labourer and the lord for whom he tills and
tolls, a sleek, though humble son Of the church
| (0ne IF the class denominated mendicant friars,
who, in the olden time Lad rowing commits.
SION to fight in the good cause Of the established
faith) was solacing himself in the agreeable shade
of wide spreading elm, which extended Its pro-
tecting branches over most inviting nook of
green turf, beside which trickled a Tiny rivuiet;
| this worthy priest-errant, say, was soIacing
himself with cheese Of ewes milk and dry crust
! from his scrip. when young knight, unattended,
came slowly winding through the green lane up
on his steed; both, in truth, appearing travel.
weary.
Good even to thee, father" said the knight.
! courteousiv accosting the !rar.
"Good knight,-good even. "-replied the
| other.
"By'r lady!-fa,her thou has. chosen cool
| retreat"
and yet sis marvel. sic knight, that thou
| sh0pId>t admire that which thy val0r would
scorrs''
"Hnw what should my valor scorn?''
"Marry, sir knight, a retreat to be sure, :"
quoth the lrar; for OF verify you of the sword
and buckler noto'i"u'ly prefer the use of your
arms to your legs; while we, the servants Of the
church. have like scolds) only our tongues for
our weapons ="
"B ,snrew me sir friar," bat thou art a wag
cried the knight, "and I'll have word with
thee"
: may, | pray thee, valiant, have no words
with me-" interrupted the friar, "for I'm inclin.
ed T., uo quarrel; am a preacher al peace, who
am right glad to win little piece fur my preach
ing
"A by my knighlhood! I'm mpre IN.
ciine,i to rest AID good fellowship, holy friar"
! And by nv munk,hond! 81 am |! and yet
who shall look upon us twain and aver we are
not hosti!e!" sad the friar; "the merest clown,
| that bath M more brains 10 his cosiard that my
walking s,al!. regarding the casYae and my sha-
ven crown. would in lis obtu|e PERCEPTION, pro.
claim a difference between US; and what's dt.
! ference but a Guauci.'
| Nay, then. let's tall too, and fair words be
our Weapons" answered the knight, falling in
with his humour; and dismountng. seated himself
down bt the iriar.
"Agreed!" quoth the Iriar; sand so begins
and ends the contest III encouragement! Now
couch thee on this greensward comfortably; and
far better is i, for thee to be beside me.
sane beogar than beside tbysef, for then thou
wouId'st be mad of a SURETY"
..Bv NV lay! an thu best not as tlroi a clerk
ne e, er n,red up his loils in sackclOth and hemp.
But, father, how fits this humor with thy serious
VOC atom"
..Truly like light heart and clear consci-
ence upon full stomach. Cab him as We list.
mans sill a man. It's NY nature to be bithe;
and therefore. do hold 1t sinful TO sport mask
of orayit1 Some Who wear the cOw look upon
il as symbol If sadness well as sinctity; for
INV mart honestly coufess regard my coGl on
lIy as ivelv hood! aud vet" continued the
! fra,. with mock seriousness, plaring MS palms
upau capacious cUrp0raiOn--'' behold how my
mirtbGulness aud .ouG-humo runneth tO-Haisf
O., it's a sad world we live in, sir knight"
The knight laughed heartily at the jocosc con-
cel,s Of the jolly lriar, aud almost lmperceplibty
began to bubble in the same strain; albeit, he
preferred rather to provoke The good humoured
garrulity of his companion than to hear himself
discourse.
..Ouly to see how wit ensendereth w.t." cried
the friar, ..as naturally as hears bear bears. or
wolves and churchmen-prey! By ST. Mary,
sir knight, we are well met and by thy good will
Veil part not ere we drink chirping cup tose-
Their. A league hence stands an ho.telrie, where
purpose to spend the night and mark to boot,
for beshrew me an there b. not as good Hagen
of wine to he had there as ever made dull eye
or a light heel"
Have with thee, them" replied the knight,
q. for 1 lack rejection after hard days ride;
and would fain reach our destination ere night
fall.'
"And yet nishtfall can have no terrors for
thee" sail the friar, for in thy tine thou must
have seen many knight faH,e at noon.day"'
.Ay, truly many a brave knight have seen
cast from his seat. Who hath b0rne his discoTht.
ure with grace and equanimity worthy"
Worthy the Mro,Ua. naithless. y interPosed
the friar. lanshing.-. with nothing but crack.
ed crown to support his dignity withaP And
this is what you men Of vaIor term sport, Hea-
ven save me from such jrsts, quotha! A dough-
ty knight making another appear foolish, where
fore neradyenture the king inaketh him foolish
peer. and thus the game runs!"
"Nay. 1 charge thee
i .Charge me not. pray thee, sir knight"
quickly re,orted the ffiar,-"io Tor 10: am dn'
armed: I bear neither arms nor maiace. albeit,
H.; s,rt may myself b. termed buckksr-