The morning times., 1895-12-22
LAY TO PEGASUS.
Impromptu Verses by Robert G Grar
and How They yYere Nyr,,,op

Impromptu Verses by Robert Grant, |,
| and How They Were Written.
The verses entitled "A Lay to Pegasus"
by Robert Grant are widely known, and
| have been commented as a very happy pro-
duct or bis lighter vein. They were strict
1 iy impromptu. and The circumstance al tend
ing their birth were as follows: On the
| evening of December s, 1892. Mr.. Grant
was the guest of the Massachusetts Fish
and Game Protective Association and being
pressed by his friend Ivers W. Adams for
| some impromptu verses. he at length Yield
ed and hastily scribbled a rough draft
OF the Lay toPegasus" on the back OF his
| menu, ,aftcrward celebrating IL upon some
| sheets OF copy paper obtained from re-
| porter. Considering the difficulties which
| Mr. Grant had TO contend with, the dining
room being very bable of tongues, and the
| head waiter being grimly determined that
the bonored guest should miss nothing from
| the Blue Points to the coffee, the verses
are decidedly meritorious. ''"
The lay is herewith reproduced:
A LAY TO PEGASUS.
bought Pegasus some years back,
winch was vouched as a,steady family
steed; '
That is. he had gaits like d herdic hack,
Which means he could Soivery fast, In.
For block or two on a ranibly road,
"hen % ,ne whip was laid IN his withcrs
But a flera moment he puffcd, and bowed.
And yet at that time he dld not lie down.
H-1T 8. l-i.ill. si.,gr. . gsE,. o. -a--t
He was not made to look ac-that Pegasus
mine.
In the way of Looks he was bouy and
thin; -
His ribs stuck out and he sh,swed his spine.
Whenever tried to taxi. Il spin
He was SIRE TO shy at thiDgs we met,
tc fe.af fts,.t. ~
He was apt To bolt at tines-and yet
MY Pegasus never wouhiI lie down.
Ny good friend Adams SAID TO me
Saddle your Pcg1sIs. III. S.sSsaid he.
u can't said 1, 6.'he' lost his style;
he is full OF hay and s,,ft and fat,
He is out at pasture, ten miles from
Saddle ny Pegasus where was att,
Supposing Pegasus should lie down."
The villain adams looked II me.
And tear bedinned his bright blue
eye, -iz . 479 ~ i....
Il had counted, Grant. IN having you In
AT our nineteenth anniversary 80.
And then he flattercd my amour propre,
Saying pleasant things OF my Pegasus,
brown,
So I said 10 myself, II may come a
But Pegasus never would lie down" ~
So got ont my boots AMI riding breeches,
And Jumped on his back with a jump
galore,
Armed,wiih one of the dainty switches
l used To carry in days of yore; zee
And a pair OF spurs. with terrible rowels,
With no regard for the nag's renown---a
l jamiped them into Pegasus bowels
In order to stop him from lying down.
thirrupcd to Pegasus and pricked him.
Said TO him, ..Gee!'' and lammed his
flank, $50 @E-r' ~
,..t
!, Calling him hlankety, bio nkety blank.
But he wouldn't bulge for spur or kindness,
And now. in the face OF all the town.
Ny brain is seized with sudden blindness
Pegasus, friends, is lying down!
And here ! stand in my riding breeehes,
With ashes strewn on my poet pride;
Oh! for br0omstick. such as the witches
Knew so ceverly how to ride!
Then would mount and sing at paean
To the LASTING honor of Boston town
Better a fall from the blue Empyrean
Than to have ones Pegasus lie down.
Henceforih shall walk on my patent
uppers,
And view the nags with pensive smile:
1 will sell my Pegasus, hoof and cruppers,
To Mr.. Ward at the equine mile.
But pray, oh, bartls. whose clever verses
Win fame and piaudits that earn.the
crown
OF laurel and gentle muse disburses,
1OuT eSdsuS never Will ilt uoNh.
-- -
"Dist Natchelly Bad"
don't care bout de mission,
Nor de Band O. Grace and Hope,
Nor de way ter 'scape temptation,
Nor de prayers O. de Pope;
I hate de saints and love dc sinners.
never mind me dad. i5s-
/ likes ter play de cobs dat's winners,
Cause I'm dist natcheliy bad. i'T -'-s
1 hates de long faced preacher, "Y'
And likes ter take me drink:
De sports my kind o. creature,
And de show 10 great, tink;
l likes ter fight and queerfde coppers