188

THE EXCISEMAN.

Sung with unbounded Applause by Mr. BANNISTER, Mr. DIGNUM, and Mr. TAYLOR.

To a village that skirted the sea,
An Exciseman one Midsummer came,
But prudence, between you and me,
Forbids me to mention his name;
Soon Michael he chanc'd to espy,
A cask on his napper he bore,
With six gallons of brandy, or nigh;
And where is the head can bear more.

Says th' Exciseman, "Let's see your permit;"
Says Mike, "T'an't convenient to shew it;"
T'other cried, "Sir, I'm not to be bit,
For you've smugg'd that stuff, and you know it.
Your hogs to fine market you've brought;
For seeing you've paid no excise,
As customs have settl'd you ought,
I seizes your tub as my prize."

"Now don't be so hard," said poor Mike;
Th' Exciseman was deaf to complaint.
"Why then take it," said Mike, "if you like,
For I've borne it till ready to faint."
Four miles in hot sunshine they trudg'd,
Till on them they'd scarce a dry rag;
Th' Exciseman his labour ne'er grudg'd,
But cheerfully carry'd the cag.

To the custom-house in the next town,
'Twas yet some three furlongs or more,
When, says Michael, "Pray, set your load down,
For this here, sir, is my cottage-door."
T'other answer'd, "I thank you, friend, no;
My burthen just yet I sha'nt quit."
"Then," says Michael, "before you do go,
I'll get you to read my permit."

"Your permit! Why not shew it before?"
"Because it came into my nob,
By your watching for me on the shore,
That your worship was wanting a job:
Now I'd need of a porter, d'ye see,
For that load made my bones fit to crack;
And so, sir, I thank you for me,
And wish you a pleasant walk back."

PUBLISHED BY

R. H. LAURIE,

No. 53, FLEET STREET,

LONDON.