"But as we near'd the winning-post, "I really thought that all was lost; "Still on my heart I feel the stroke, "For down at once poor MATCHLESS broke. "When springing forth with all her strength, "She won the heat by half a length. "With many a sigh and many a tear, "I homeward lead the limping mare; "Not useless yet from this disaster, "For many a foal she brought my Master. "At length, poor MATCHLESS! weak and old, "Was by ungrateful SQUANDER sold "For forty shillings, down in hand, "To hobbling Dick to carry sand. "In greedy fist I saw him lock it, "Then blush and steal it to his pocket. "I left his service-could I bear "The man who sold his faithful mare?" Who but approves WILL'S honest heart, For on this truth may all depend, 'Tis Av'rice sways his sordid soul. But WILL went on-" a year or two "Of toil and poverty she knew. "Oft as she pass'd his well known gate, "Press'd with the galling grievous weight, "I've seen her turn her mournful eye, "And heave the deep reproachful sigh. "At times, indeed, she spurn'd the load, "When cruel DICK would whip and goad; "And spirit is possess'd by few, "That stripes and hunger won't subdue. "At length life's weary journey o'er, ""Twas here she sunk to rise no more! "And ere her limbs in death were cold, "Her skin was stript by DICK and sold. "But, Sir," said WILL, "I now will tell "What since the cruel Squire befel; "Who from the day he sold his mare, "Seem'd gloomy and oppress'd with care. "Ill-luck the ingrateful will befall; “And all went wrong at SQUANder Hall. "Fortune the wretched man forsakes; "No longer now he wins the stakes. "Desperate, he tries the cards and dice, "And plunges deeper in the vice. "MISFORTUNE at his elbow stands Is; "And trumps don't win in Squander's hands. "Down come his woods; his lands and manors "Are sold to grocers, butchers, tanners. "His stud beneath the hammer falls, "At ALDRIDGE's or Tattersall's. "At length, to crown his sad disaster, "His mansion own'd another master. "Thus as his last resources fail, 66 Unpitied SQUANDER died in jail." |