Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 1.djvu/115

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"Come Humphrey come! thou art a lad of spirit!"Rise to a halbert—as I did—by merit!"Would'st thou believe it? even I was once"As thou art now, a plough-boy and a dunce;"But Courage rais'd me to my rank. How now boy!"Shall Hero Humphrey still be Numps the plough-boy?"A proper shaped young fellow! tall and straight!"Why thou wert made for glory! five feet eight!"The road to riches is the field of fight,—"Didst ever see a guinea look so bright?"Why regimentals Numps would give thee grace,"A hat and feather would become that face;"The girls would crowd around thee to be kist—"Dost love a girl?" "Od Zounds!" I cried "I'll list!"So past the night: anon the morning came,And off I set a volunteer for fame."Back shoulders, turn out your toes, hold up your head,"Stand easy!" so I did—till almost dead.O how I long'd to tend the plough againTrudge up the field and whistle o'er the plain,
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