Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 046.djvu/629

But, like other true lovers in trouble, he thought
That his case was as bad as could be;
So he said, "Though this greeting I dare not have sought,
Since it happens I here am by accident brought,
I should like this queer speaker to see."

Then he went round the corner, and found an old man,
With lean legs and an odd pinched-up face,
Who, without any preface, thus oddly began—
"Folks are never contented, do all that one can;
And, Beau Billy, I well know thy case.

"Thou would'st thrash all thy rivals, and others perhaps:
Well—no matter, I'll give thee this stick;
But observe, what to thee will appear gentle raps,
Will prove knock-me-down to those great boasting chaps,
So don't strike them too hard nor too quick."

Billy doubtingly smiled, and the odd old man frown'd,
And cried, "Eh! then thou'rt hard to convince?
Well—take that!" and away Billy flew with a bound,
And head over heels tumbled down on the ground,
While the pain from the blow made him wince.

Then the lean-legg'd old man danced and laugh'd in high glee,
And said, "Now then my word thou'lt not doubt;
So remember, no man, howsoe'er strong he be,
Can resist this prime twig which I now throw to thee.
There!—be off and mind what thou'rt about."

Though the stick was thrown gently, Bill fancied his head
Had been hit by a ponderous stone;
For his eyes flash'd with sparks, his brain reel'd, his nose bled,
And down tumbling again, he lay long like one dead,
Then awoke and rose up all alone.

He then scratch'd his dull pate, in bewilderment lost,
And exclaim'd, "I've been dreaming, I fear!
No; I ha'n't! Here's the queer stick that queer old chap tost,
And he certainly thrash'd me, I feel to my cost,
And has made me a conjurer—that's clear.

"Well, if all that he told me should prove to be true,"
Here he giggled with clownish delight,
"Thumping Robin, strong Tim, and tall Harry shall rue
The next challenge they offer to me before Sue,
And I hope I may meet them to-night."

Thus resolving, he ventured to take up the stick,
Which was wondrously handy to wield;
As he flourished it gaily, it flew round so quick,
He felt perfectly sure he could easily lick
All competitors out of the field.

So that day he dress'd gaily, his hat cock'd aside,
And conceitedly strutted about
Till the evening, and then to Sue's cottage he hied,
And had nearly approached it, when Harry he spied—
A rival, tall, bony, and stout.