Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-05-22
Published by request.
"THE GOOSE.c
Or MATURE AND PHILOSOPHY "

Poor Friar Philip lost his wife,
The charm and comfort of his life,
He mourned her not like modern men,
For ladies were worth having then.
The world was altered in his view,
All things put on yellow hue;
Even ladies, once his chief delight,
Were now offensive to his sight;
In short he pinned and looked 80 ILL.,,
The doctor hoped to get bill.
At last he made VOW to fly,
And hide himself from every eye,
Take up his lodging in wood,
To turn hermit and grow good
He had child now, you must know,
About twelve month old or so;
HIM Philip took up in his arms,
To snatch him from all female charms,
Intending he should never know
There were such things as girls below;
But lead an honest PERMITS life,
"For," said he, "he might lose his wife,"
The place he chose for his retreat,
Was once lions country seat.
Far in wild romantic wood,
The hermits little cottage stood,
Hid by trees from human view,
The sun himself could scarce get through.
A little garden titled with care,
Supplied them with their daily fare
Fresh water crosses from the spring,
Turnips and greens, or some such thing,
Hermits don't care much what they eat,
Aud appetite can make 1t sweet.
Twas here our little hermit grew;
His father taught him all he knew,
Adapting, like careful sage,
His lessons to the pupils age.
AT five years old he showed him flowers,
Taught him their various names and powers
Then talked of lions, wolves, and bears,
Things children hear with all their ears:
Taught him to blow upon reed,
To say his prayers and get the creed.
At ten he lectured him on herbs,
Better than learning nouns and verbs)
The names and qualities OF trees,
Manners and customs of the bees,
Then talked of oysters full OF pearls;
But not word about the girls.
At fifteen years he turned his eyes,
To view the wonders of the skies,
Called all the stars by names,
As YOU wouli call on John or James;
And showed him all the things above,
But not whisper about love.
And now his sixteenth year was nigh,
And yet he had not learned to sigh;
Had sleep and appetite to spare;
He could not tell the name Of care;
And all because he did not know
There were such things as girls below.
But now tempest ragged around,
The hermlt's little nest was drowned;
Good bye, then, to poor Philips crop,
1t did not leave turnip top.
Poor Philip grieved, and his son too,
They prayed, they knew not what TO do
II they were hermits they must live,
And wolves have not much aims TO give.
Now In his native town he knew,
He had disciples, rich ones too,
Who would not let him beg 10 vain,
But set the hermit up again,
But what TO do with his young son,
Pray tell me what would you have doneV
Take him to town, he was afraid;
For what II he should see maidp
10 love as sure as he had eyes,
Then any quantity Of signs.
Leave him at home, the wolves the bears
Poor Philip had fathers fears.
In short he knew not what to do,
But thought at last to take him too.
And so with truly pious care,
lie makes good long winded prayer,
Intended as a sort of charm,
To keep his darling lad from harm,
That Is from pretty ladies' wiles,
Especially their eyes and smiles,
Then brushed his coat Of silver gray,
Aud then you see them on their way;
IL was town, they all agree,
Where there was every thing TO see;
AS paintings, statues, and 80 on,
All that men loved TO look upon.
Our little lad, you may suppose
Had never seen 80 many shows.
He stands, with open mouth and eyes,
Like one Just fallen from the skies,
Pointing ut every thing he secs;
whats thisp what's thatS
Oh here what's these 7"
At last he sees a charming thing,
That men call angel when they sing.
Young ladies when they speak In prose,
Sweet thing as everybody knows:
Transported, ravished at the sight,
He feels strange but sweet delight.
whats thisH what's this o heavens" he
cries,
That looks 80 sweetly with its eyesS
D shall | catch itP is 1t tanner
What 10 it fatherY what's its manner
Poor Philip knew not what 10 say,
But tried TO turn his eyes away:
He crossed himself, and made a vow;
""Tis as feared, alls over now"
Then "Prthee, have thy wits let loose,
Il is bird men call Goose"
"a goose o pretty, pretty thing
Aud will il sing tooS will II singY
0 come, come quickly, let US run;
That's a good father, catch me one
Wen take il with us TO our cell,
Indeed, indeed, I'll treat II we'll.