The Vestibule of Eloquence: Original Articles Oratorical and Poetical, Intended as Exercises in Recitation, at the Institution, Bedford Place, Russell Square

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author, 1810 - 32 pages
 

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Page 2 - Who call'st thyself perchance the master there, Or study swept, or nicely dusted coat, Or usual 'tendance ; — ask not, indiscreet, Thy stockings mended, though the yawning rents Gape wide as Erebus ; nor hope to find Some snug recess impervious...
Page 1 - Or drowning flies, or shoe lost in the mire By little whimpering boy, with rueful face ; Come, Muse, and sing the dreaded Washing-Day. Ye who beneath the yoke of wedlock bend, With bowed soul, full well ye ken the day Which week, smooth sliding after week, brings on Too soon ;— for to that day nor peace belongs Nor comfort ;— ere the first gray streak of dawn, The red-arm'd washers come and chase repose.
Page 3 - That day shall eat ; nor, though the husband try, Mending what can't be helped, to kindle mirth From cheer deficient, shall his consort's brow Clear up propitious : the unlucky guest In silence dines, and early slinks away.
Page 4 - ... to wash, to rinse, to wring, To fold, and starch, and clap, and iron, and plait. Then would I sit me down, and ponder much Why washings were. Sometimes through hollow bowl Of pipe amused we blew, and sent aloft 80 The floating bubbles; little dreaming then To see, Montgolfier, thy silken ball Ride buoyant through the clouds — so near approach The sports of children and the toils of men.
Page 2 - Shall mar thy musings, as the wet cold sheet Flaps in thy face abrupt. Woe to the friend Whose evil stars have urged him forth to claim On such a day the hospitable rites; Looks, blank at best, and stinted courtesy, Shall he receive; vainly he feeds...

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