James Parkerson

“ His wife and poor children are shedding those tears
That flows from sincerity’s bosom of grief,
Scarce can old time give a lapse from relief.
The widow to ease or the orphan protect,
He would never a minute in friendship neglect;
Sometimes ungrateful they each of them prov’d,
At tales of affliction his bosom was moved.
How cheerful he’d set tho’ hard blew the gale,
Amusing his friends with a voyager’s tale.
Ill nature did never his features deform,
His hopes were thro’ life to weather the storm. ”

“ Walker, Printer, near the Duke’s Palace, Norwich.
p. 3An Address, &c. Believe me, Sir; I do these lines impart
With every pang that can corrode the heart;
Bring to your mind a dismal scene late past,
And let that guilty Amour be your last.
Think of my friend that was of late so gay,
By your vile arts dishonour’d and away;
From every joy that animates this life,
The tender mother and the happy wife.
A husband’s frowns, a father’s burning tears,
For Stella’s folly much increase their cares. ”

“ To serve them at all times no one could strive more.
In all parish concerns he was found to be just,
And ne’er was the man that dishonoured his trust,
May the Angel that note all our errors above,
Blot out our lov’d friends thro’ angelical love:
May his spirit be numbered with those of the blest,
The moment grim death planted darts in his breast.
May his Children be strangers to every strife,
That too frequent attend many mortals thro’ life ”

“ Time, I much fear, will not that balm restore;
Its fled from me and will return no more.
I know that sweet compassion fills your mind,
And to forgiveness ever was inclin’d;
Take then your daughter to your arms again,
And she from latent vices will abstain.
With pious thoughts she’ll pass the day away,
Till stern reproof is banish’d far away;
p. 9Too well I know that censure will appear,
In every mansion when Maria’s there;
Soon as the vengeance of her sting is cast,
The scoffers arrogance no longer last ”

“ His wife is at all times as anxious to send,
Her boon were distress points the way;
To the needy she is daily a friend,
Her efforts oft poverty stay.
They trudge on united unblemished by art,
She delights in the dairy and cow ”

“ Let us always be merry thro’ life,
Drink success to our King again and again,
To banish dull care pain and strife.
To the Memory of
MR. SELF,
late of
PULHAM MARKET HALL. The tear of regret was observed all around,
When our neighbour and friend was consigned to the ground;
If penury hung round the Cottager’s door,
He ne’er would forget to remember the poor.
p. 17So cheerful in converse you always would find,
Neither spleen or ill nature could harass his mind;
Till age made its inroads he’d join with the gay,
At manly amusements to gladden the day. ”

“ But those very brave valiants would soon run away;
Give them plumb pudding and plenty of beef,
And alone on the ground would be found the grand Chief.
p. 19Show him but a bottle of excellent wine,
And I’d warrant to say he’d the contest decline;
If talking would do he would frighten them all,
But I don’t think he’d like to see powder or ball,
Come whistling near to his brain-pan or heart;
From such trying scenes he would gladly depart;
As a neighbour he’s worthy the village esteem,
May he ne’er want a bottle nor I a good theme.
OLD JACK.—A SONG. Tune.—“The Exciseman”. ”