Legal Distress

RDagley delet sculp.

TAKING ALL

XXIX.

And thus one morning in the little nook

In which he might dispose his wasting form He lay; when suddenly his hand one took,

And roused the Captive by its pressure warm. Tom started, at the incident surprised,

And Flykite's countenance he recognised.

XXX.

"Rats die in holes and corners,' you must not,"

He cried, "Come, Tom, I bring you glorious news, The Widow Vernal, if you have not got,

To-morrow you may marry if you choose.

Her wealth will make your baffled foes look pale,
And you may walk this morning out of jail."

XXXI.

"For all my foes I need not care a rush,
Or pale or not, but could I act the part
You recommend, I fear my friends would blush,
And think me dead to honour at my heart.
To wed her love professing, were deceit,
An infamous-unpardonable cheat."

XXXII.

Why what a Johnny!" Flykite cried, "you 're mad! Hundreds the same have done as well as you." "No matter than commit an act so bad,

I'd rather starve, as here I 'm like to do. Tho' my misconduct brought me here no doubt, A crime so flagrant shall not get me out."

XXXIII.

Flykite retired, astonished, half-offended,

99

And Tom again was thinking of the floor, When suddenly his musings were suspended,

By hearing some one thunder at the door. A person entered, bowing, spruce and gay, And bade him very civilly," Good day."

XXXIV.

"I beg your pardon," he began, but I Thinking it pity you should be confined, Have called, Sir, merely with a view to buy,

Your pen, your talents, and ingenious mind,

If you would something warm and luscious write: Morality is now old-fashioned quite.

XXXV.

A something for the rising generation, A something pretty rather out of rule,"what expectation

"I know not," Tom replied,

You have, that I would be a pander's tool. 'Tis needless more your errand to proclaim, Begone, Sir, while you may, the way you came."

XXXVI.

Scarce had he made his exit, when another

Offered to succour Takeall in his need; Provided foolish scruples he would smother, And lend his talents to an atheist's creed.

With him a partner came, to make condition That Tom should blend with blasphemy sedition.

XXXVII.

Astonished, on the applicants he gazed:

That in one hour, so many should assail, Disgusted him not more than it amazed.

66

66

Surely," he cried, my senses do not fail, Do I imagine tales no creatures tell!

Or come so many tempting fiends from hell!"

N