Jesu!  Maria! liberate nos ab his diris tentationibus Inimici.

A BALLAD: 

        Noting the Difference of Rich and Poor, in the Ways of a
        Rich Noble’s Palace and a Poor Workhouse

        To the tune of the “Old and Young Courtier"

        (August, 1800.  Text of 1818)

        In a costly palace Youth goes clad in gold;
        In a wretched workhouse Age’s limbs are cold: 
        There they sit, the old men by a shivering fire,
        Still close and closer cowering, warmth is their desire.

        In a costly palace, when the brave gallants dine,
        They have store of good venison, with old canary wine,
        With singing and music to heighten the cheer;
        Coarse bits, with grudging, are the pauper’s best fare.

        In a costly palace Youth is still carest
        By a train of attendants which laugh at my young Lord’s jest;
        In a wretched workhouse the contrary prevails: 
        Does Age begin to prattle?—­no man heark’neth to his tales.

        In a costly palace if the child with a pin
        Do but chance to prick a finger, strait the doctor is called in;
        In a wretched workhouse men are left to perish
        For want of proper cordials, which their old age might cherish,

        In a costly palace Youth enjoys his lust;
        In a wretched workhouse Age, in corners thrust,
        Thinks upon the former days, when he was well to do,
        Had children to stand by him, both friends and kinsmen too.

        In a costly palace Youth his temples hides
        With a new devised peruke that reaches to his sides;
        In a wretched workhouse Age’s crown is bare,
        With a few thin locks just to fence out the cold air.

        In peace, as in war, ‘tis our young gallants’ pride,
        To walk, each one i’ the streets, with a rapier by his side,
        That none to do them injury may have pretence;
        Wretched Age, in poverty, must brook offence.

        POEMS IN CHARLES LAMB’S WORKS 1818,
        NOT PREVIOUSLY PRINTED IN THE PRESENT VOLUME;
        TOGETHER WITH REFERENCES TO THOSE POEMS
        THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY PRINTED

HESTER

(February, 1803)

When maidens such as Hester die,
Their place ye may not well supply,
Though ye among a thousand try,
With vain endeavour.

A month or more hath she been dead,
Yet cannot I by force be led
To think upon the wormy bed,

        And her together.

A springy motion in her gait,
A rising step, did indicate
Of pride and joy no common rate,

        That flush’d her spirit.

I know not by what name beside
I shall it call:—­if ’twas not pride,
It was a joy to that allied,

        She did inherit.