II.

My joys and hopes all overthrown,

My heart-strings almost broke, Unfit my mind for melody,

Much more to bear a joke.

The ladies said, It was very pretty; and Miss Darnford, That somebody else had more need to be concerned than the versifier.

I knew, said my master, I should get no credit by shewing this. But let us read on, Mr. Williams. So Mr. Williams read:

Then they, to whom we pris’ners were,

Said to us, tauntingly, Now let us hear your Hebrew songs,

And pleasant melody.

Now this, said my master, is very near; and read: