ancient poems-第6章

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The　smoke；　like　burning　incense；　towers；　So　should　a　praying　heart　of　yours；　With　ardent　cries；　Surmount　the　skies。　Thus　think；　and　smoke　tobacco。



Poem：　THE　MASONIC　HYMN。



＇THIS　is　a　very　ancient　production；　though　given　from　a　modern　　copy；　it　has　always　been　popular　amongst　the　poor　'brethren　of　the　　mystic　tie。'　　The　late　Henry　O'Brien；　A。B。；　quotes　the　seventh　　verse　in　his　essay　ON　THE　ROUND　TOWERS　OF　IRELAND。　　He　generally　　had　a　common　copy　of　the　hymn　in　his　pocket；　and　on　meeting　with　　any　of　his　antiquarian　friends　who　were　not　Masons；　was　in　the　　habit　of　thrusting　it　into　their　hands；　and　telling　them　that　if　　they　understood　the　mystic　allusions　it　contained；　they　would　be　in　　possession　of　a　key　which　would　unlock　the　pyramids　of　Egypt！　　The　　tune　to　the　hymn　is　peculiar　to　it；　and　is　of　a　plaintive　and　　solemn　character。＇


COME　all　you　freemasons　that　dwell　around　the　globe；　That　wear　the　badge　of　innocence；　I　mean　the　royal　robe；　Which　Noah　he　did　wear　when　in　the　ark　he　stood；　When　the　world　was　destroyed　by　a　deluging　flood。

Noah　he　was　virtuous　in　the　sight　of　the　Lord；　He　loved　a　freemason　that　kept　the　secret　word；　For　he　built　the　ark；　and　he　planted　the　first　vine；　Now　his　soul　in　heaven　like　an　angel　doth　shine。

Once　I　was　blind；　and　could　not　see　the　light；　Then　up　to　Jerusalem　I　took　my　flight；　I　was　led　by　the　evangelist　through　a　wilderness　of　care；　You　may　see　by　the　sign　and　the　badge　that　I　wear。

On　the　13th　rose　the　ark；　let　us　join　hand　in　hand；　For　the　Lord　spake　to　Moses　by　water　and　by　land；　Unto　the　pleasant　river　where　by　Eden　it　did　rin；　And　Eve　tempted　Adam　by　the　serpent　of　sin。

When　I　think　of　Moses　it　makes　me　to　blush；　All　on　mount　Horeb　where　I　saw　the　burning　bush；　My　shoes　I'll　throw　off；　and　my　staff　I'll　cast　away；　And　I'll　wander　like　a　pilgrim　unto　my　dying　day。

When　I　think　of　Aaron　it　makes　me　to　weep；　Likewise　of　the　Virgin　Mary　who　lay　at　our　Saviour's　feet；　'Twas　in　the　garden　of　Gethsemane　where　he　had　the　bloody　sweat；　Repent；　my　dearest　brethren；　before　it　is　too　late。

I　thought　I　saw　twelve　dazzling　lights；　which　put　me　in　surprise；　And　gazing　all　around　me　I　heard　a　dismal　noise；　The　serpent　passed　by　me　which　fell　unto　the　ground；　With　great　joy　and　comfort　the　secret　word　I　found。

Some　say　it　is　lost；　but　surely　it　is　found；　And　so　is　our　Saviour；　it　is　known　to　all　around；　Search　all　the　Scriptures　over；　and　there　it　will　be　shown；　The　tree　that　will　bear　no　fruit　must　be　cut　down。

Abraham　was　a　man　well　beloved　by　the　Lord；　He　was　true　to　be　found　in　great　Jehovah's　word；　He　stretched　forth　his　hand；　and　took　a　knife　to　slay　his　son；　An　angel　appearing　said；　The　Lord's　will　be　done！

O；　Abraham！　O；　Abraham！　lay　no　hand　upon　the　lad；　He　sent　him　unto　thee　to　make　thy　heart　glad；　Thy　seed　shall　increase　like　stars　in　the　sky；　And　thy　soul　into　heaven　like　Gabriel　shall　fly。

O；　never；　O；　never　will　I　hear　an　orphan　cry；　Nor　yet　a　gentle　virgin　until　the　day　I　die；　You　wandering　Jews　that　travel　the　wide　world　round；　May　knock　at　the　door　where　truth　is　to　be　found。

Often　against　the　Turks　and　Infidels　we　fight；　To　let　the　wandering　world　know　we're　in　the　right；　For　in　heaven　there's　a　lodge；　and　St。　Peter　keeps　the　door；　And　none　can　enter　in　but　those　that　are　pure。

St。　Peter　he　opened；　and　so　we　entered　in；　Into　the　holy　seat　secure；　which　is　all　free　from　sin；　St。　Peter　he　opened；　and　so　we　entered　there；　And　the　glory　of　the　temple　no　man　can　compare。



Poem：　GOD　SPEED　THE　PLOW；　AND　BLESS　THE　CORN…MOW。　　A　DIALOGUE　　BETWEEN　THE　HUSBANDMAN　AND　SERVINGMAN。

The　tune　is；　I　AM　THE　DUKE　OF　NORFOLK。



＇THIS　ancient　dialogue；　though　in　a　somewhat　altered　form　（see　the　　ensuing　poem）；　has　long　been　used　at　country　merry…makings。　　It　is　　transcribed　from　a　black…letter　copy　in　the　third　volume　of　the　　Roxburgh　collection；　apparently　one　of　the　imprints　of　Peter　　Brooksby；　which　would　make　the　composition　at　least　as　old　as　the　　close　of　the　fifteenth　century。　　There　are　several　dialogues　of　a　　similar　character。＇


ARGUMENT。

The　servingman　the　plowman　would　invite　To　leave　his　calling　and　to　take　delight；　But　he　to　that　by　no　means　will　agree；　Lest　he　thereby　should　come　to　beggary。　He　makes　it　plain　appear　a　country　life　Doth　far　excel：　and　so　they　end　the　strife。


MY　noble　friends　give　ear；　if　mirth　you　love　to　hear；　I'll　tell　you　as　fast　as　I　can；　A　story　very　true；　then　mark　what　doth　ensue；　Concerning　of　a　husbandman。　A　servingman　did　meet　a　husbandman　in　the　street；　And　thus　unto　him　began：

SERVINGMAN。

I　pray　you　tell　to　me　of　what　calling　you　be；　Or　if　you　be　a　servingman？

HUSBANDMAN。

Quoth　he；　my　brother　dear；　the　coast　I　mean　to　clear；　And　the　truth　you　shall　understand：　I　do　no　one　disdain；　but　this　I　tell　you　plain；　I　am　an　honest　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

If　a　husbandman　you　be；　then　come　along　with　me；　I'll　help　you　as　soon　as　I　can　Unto　a　gallant　place；　where　in　a　little　space；　You　shall　be　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

Sir；　for　your　diligence　I　give　you　many　thanks；　These　things　I　receive　at　your　hand；　I　pray　you　to　me　show；　whereby　that　I　might　know；　What　pleasures　hath　a　servingman？

SERVINGMAN。

A　servingman　hath　pleasure；　which　passeth　time　and　measure；　When　the　hawk　on　his　fist　doth　stand；　His　hood；　and　his　verrils　brave；　and　other　things；　we　have；　Which　yield　joy　to　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

My　pleasure's　more　than　that　to　see　my　oxen　fat；　And　to　prosper　well　under　my　hand；　And　therefore　I　do　mean；　with　my　horse；　and　with　my　team；　To　keep　myself　a　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

O　'tis　a　gallant　thing　in　the　prime　time　of　the　spring；　To　hear　the　huntsman　now　and　than　His　bugle　for　to　blow；　and　the　hounds　run　all　a　row：　This　is　pleasure　for　a　servingman！　To　hear　the　beagle　cry；　and　to　see　the　falcon　fly；　And　the　hare　trip　over　the　plain；　And　the　huntsmen　and　the　hound　make　hill　and　dale　rebound：　This　is　pleasure　for　a　servingman！

HUSBANDMAN。

'Tis　pleasure；　too；　you　know；　to　see　the　corn　to　grow；　And　to　grow　so　well　on　the　land；　The　plowing　and　the　sowing；　the　reaping　and　the　mowing；　Yield　pleasure　to　the　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

At　our　table　you　may　eat　all　sorts　of　dainty　meat；　Pig；　cony；　goose；　capon；　and　swan；　And　with　lords　and　ladies　fine；　you　may　drink　beer；　ale；　and　wine！　This　is　pleasure　for　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

While　you　eat　goose　and　capon；　I'll　feed　on　beef　and　bacon；　And　piece　of　hard　cheese　now　and　than；　We　pudding　have；　and　souse；　always　ready　in　the　house；　Which　contents　the　honest　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

At　the　court　you　may　have　your　garments　fine　and　brave；　And　cloak　with　gold　lace　laid　upon；　A　shirt　as　white　as　milk；　and　wrought　with　finest　silk：　That's　pleasure　for　a　servingman！

HUSBANDMAN。

Such　proud　and　costly　gear　is　not　for　us　to　wear；　Amongst　the　briers　and　brambles　many　a　one；　A　good　strong　russet　coat；　and　at　your　need　a　groat；　Will　suffice　the　husbandman。　A　proverb　here　I　tell；　which　likes　my　humour　well；　And　remember　it　well　I　can；　If　a　courtier　be　too　bold；　he'll　want　when　he　is　old。　Then　farewell　the　servingman。

SERVINGMAN。

It　needs　must　be　confest　that　your　calling　is　the　best；　No　longer　discourse　with　you　I　can；　But　henceforth　I　will　pray；　by　night　and　by　day；　Heaven　bless　the　honest　husbandman。



Poem：　A　DIALOGUE　BETWEEN　THE　HUSBANDMAN　AND　THE　SERVINGMAN。



＇THIS　traditional　version　of　the　preceding　ancient　dialogue　has　　long　been　popular　at　country　festivals。　　At　a　harvest…home　feast　at　　Selborne；　in　Hampshire；　in　1836；　we　heard　it　recited　by　two　　countrymen；　who　gave　it　with　considerable　humour；　and　dramatic　　effect。　　It　was　delivered　in　a　sort　of　chant；　or　recitative。　　　Davies　Gilbert　published　a　very　similar　copy　in　his　ANCIENT　　CHRISTMAS　CAROLS。　　In　the　modern　printed　editions；　which　are　almost　　identical　with　ours；　the　term　'servantman'　has　been　substituted　for　　the　more　ancient　designation。＇


SERVINGMAN。

WELL　met；　my　brother　friend；　all　at　this　highway　end；　So　simple　all　alone；　as　you　can；　I　pray　you　tell　to　me；　what　may　your　calling　be；　Are　you　not　a　servingman？

HUSBANDMAN。

No；　no；　my　brother　dear；　what　makes　you　to　inquire　Of　any　such　a　thing　at　my　hand？　Indeed　I　shall　not　feign；　but　I　will　tell　you　plain；　I　am　a　downright　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

If　a　husbandman　you　be；　then　go　along　with　me；　And　quickly　you　shall　see　out　of　hand；　How　in　a　little　space　I　will　help　you　to　a　place；　Where　you　may　be　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

Kind　sir！　I　'turn　you　thanks　for　your　intelligence；　These　things　I　receive　at　your　hand；　But　something　pray　now　show；　that　first　I　may　plainly　know　The　pleasures　of　a　servingman。

SERVINGMAN。

Why　a　servingman　has　pleasure　beyond　all　sort　of　measure；　With　his　hawk　on　his　fist；　as　he　does　stand；　For　the　game　that　he　does　kill；　and　the　meat　that　does　him　fill；　Are　pleasures　for　the　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

And　my　pleasure's　more　than　that；　to　see　my　oxen　fat；　And　a　good　stock　of　hay　by　them　stand；　My　plowing　and　my　sowing；　my　reaping　and　my　mowing；　Are　pleasures　for　the　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

Why　it　is　a　gallant　thing　to　ride　out　with　a　king；　With　a　lord；　duke；　or　any　such　man；　To　hear　the　horns　to　blow；　and　see　the　hounds　all　in　a　row；　That　is　pleasure　for　the　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

But　my　pleasure's　more　I　know；　to　see　my　corn　to　grow；　So　thriving　all　over　my　land；　And；　therefore；　I　do　mean；　with　my　plowing　with　my　team；　To　keep　myself　a　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

Why　the　diet　that　we　eat　is　the　choicest　of　all　meat；　Such　as　pig；　goose；　capon；　and　swan；　Our　pastry　is　so　fine；　we　drink　sugar　in　our　wine；　That　is　living　for　the　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

Talk　not　of　goose　nor　capon；　give　me　good　beef　or　bacon；　And　good　bread　and　cheese；　now　at　hand；　With　pudding；　brawn；　and　souse；　all　in　a　farmer's　house；　That　is　living　for　the　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

Why　the　clothing　that　we　wear　is　delicate　and　rare；　With　our　coat；　lace；　buckles；　and　band；　Our　shirts　are　white　as　milk；　and　our　stockings　they　are　silk；　That　is　clothing　for　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

But　I　value　not　a　hair　your　delicate　fine　wear；　Such　as　gold　is　laced　upon；　Give　me　a　good　grey　coat；　and　in　my　purse　a　groat；　That　is　clothing　for　the　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

Kind　sir！　it　would　be　bad　if　none　could　be　had　Those　tables　for　to　wait　upon；　There　is　no　lord；　duke；　nor　squire；　nor　member　for　the　shire；　Can　do　without　a　servingman。

HUSBANDMAN。

But；　Jack！　it　would　be　worse　if　there　was　none　of　us　To　follow　the　plowing　of　the　land；　There　is　neither　king；　lord；　nor　squire；　nor　member　for　the　shire；　Can　do　without　the　husbandman。

SERVINGMAN。

Kind　sir！　I　must　confess't；　and　I　humbly　protest　I　will　give　you　the　uppermost　hand；　Although　your　labour's　painful；　and　mine　it　is　so　very　gainful；　I　wish　I　were　a　husbandman。

HUSBANDMAN。

So　come　now；　let　us　all；　both　great　as　well　as　small；　Pray　for　the　grain　of　our　land；　And　let　us；　whatsoever；　do　all　our　best　endeavour；　For　to　maintain　the　good　husbandman。



Poem：　THE　CATHOLICK。



＇THE　following　ingenious　production　has　been　copied　literally　from　　a　broadside　posted　against　the　'parlour'　wall　of　a　country　inn　in　　Gloucestershire。　　The　verses　are　susceptible　of　two　　interpr