17
Just as tho ass was passing by, pad, pad,
Cried, "O! that lazy looby of a lad,
How unconcernedly the gaping brute
Lets the poor aged fellow walk a-foot."
Down came the son, on hearing this account,
And begg'd, and pray'd, and made his father mount;
Till a third party on a farther stretch,
"See! see!" exclaim'd, "that old hard-hearted wretch!
How like a justice there he sits, or squire,
Whilo the poor lad keeps wading through the mire."
"Stop," cried the lad, still deeper vex'd in mind,
"Stop, father, stop, let me get on behind;"
This done, they thought they certainly should
please, escape reproaches, and be both at ease;
For having tried each practicable way,
What could be left for jokers now to say?
Still disappointed by succeeding tone;
"Hark ye, you fellow, is that ass your own?
Get off, for shame, or one of you at least;
You both deserve to carry the poor beast,
Ready to drop down upon the road
With such a huge, unconscionable load.
On this they both dismounted, and, some say,
Contriv'd to carry, the remaining way,
The ass between 'em; prints are seen, they add.
The ass supported by the man and lad;
Others omit that fancy in the print,
