Old Places Revisited (Volume 1); Or the Antiquarians Enthusiast

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851. Excerpt: ... The honeyed benison and the measured phrases, And welcome blame, contempt, the frown, the sneer! But yesterday, this smooth-tongued monk had used More buttered words to gain my very dog Than would have greased the Pope's old chariot-wheels, Or fetched the rust out of St. Peter's key! "Go to the dogs!" Yes--they have gratitude I Fie--'tis a worthless world!--But who come hither Retires up. Enter a crowd of Villagers. First Villager. Well, I shall always say he was a friend To those in need, and so were all his House. Did he not lighten, too, our bonds of service 1 Second Villager. Well, well; but he who comes may do much more! Third Villager. Ay--or much less. Nay, he may turn our fields Into waste coverts for his forest-game--May force our sons to follow him to war--Our daughters Second Villager. Pshaw! ne'er fash your idle beard With dreams and fancies. Trust me, the old hall Will ring as cheerily to th' harper's lay, The vintage-feast will shew as bright a board, The dance as gay a throng, as e'er they did Beneath the proud Lleredas. First Villager. Well, in sooth, They were a haughty, domineering race; That must be said of them. "Sirrah, come hither!" And "Knave, go thither!" was our best salute. But now their long-drawn greatness is no more. Come, let us put on our best holiday-looks To greet the Stranger! Fourth Villager. Where is old I'edrillo? Where Sancho? Where Third Villager. Come, neighbours, bustle, bustle! Perceives the Esquire. Ha! here is Lopez, the Count's favourite squire. Esquire (coming forward). Rid ye, false curs! or, by the blessed sun, I'll slash your hides to whip-thongs!--But ere yet Ye go, ye knaves, hear my prophetic curse! May ye be chained, like felons, to the plough, While the fierce scourge makes raw your quivering flesh! Y...