Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Case Altered
The Case Altered.
Hodge held a farm, and smiled content
While one year paid another's rent;
But if he ran the least behind,
Vexation stung his anxious mind;
For not an hour would landlord stay,
But seized the very quarter-day.
How cheap soe'er or scant the grain,
Though urged with truth, was urged in vain.
The same to him, if false or true,
For rent must come when rent was due.
Yet that same landlord's cows and steeds
Broke Hodge's fence, and cropped his meads.
In hunting, that same landlord's hounds—
See! how they spread his new-sown grounds!
Dog, horse, and man alike o'erjoyed,
While half the rising crop's destroyed;
Yet tamely was the loss sustained.
'Tis said the sufferer once complained:
The squire laughed loudly while he spoke,
And paid the bumpkin—with a joke.
While one year paid another's rent;
But if he ran the least behind,
Vexation stung his anxious mind;
For not an hour would landlord stay,
But seized the very quarter-day.
How cheap soe'er or scant the grain,
Though urged with truth, was urged in vain.
The same to him, if false or true,
For rent must come when rent was due.
Yet that same landlord's cows and steeds
Broke Hodge's fence, and cropped his meads.
In hunting, that same landlord's hounds—
See! how they spread his new-sown grounds!
Dog, horse, and man alike o'erjoyed,
While half the rising crop's destroyed;
Yet tamely was the loss sustained.
'Tis said the sufferer once complained:
The squire laughed loudly while he spoke,
And paid the bumpkin—with a joke.
But luckless still poor Hodge's fate;
His worship's bull had forced a gate,
And gored his cow, the last and best;
By sickness he had lost the rest.
Hodge felt at heart resentment strong—
The heart will feel that suffers long.
A thought that instant took his head,
And thus within himself he said:
"If Hodge, for once, don't sting the squire,
May people post him for a liar!"
He said—across his shoulder throws
His fork, and to his landlord goes.
"I come, an't please you, to unfold
What, soon or late, you must be told.
My bull—a creature tame till now—
My bull has gored your worship's cow.
'Tis known what shifts I make to live:
Perhaps your honour may forgive."
"Forgive!" the squire replied, and swore;
"Pray cant to me, forgive, no more;
The law my damage shall decide,
And know, that I'll be satisfied."—
"Think, sir, I'm poor—poor as a rat."—
"Think I'm a justice, think of that!"
Hodge bowed his head, and scratched his head;
And recollecting, archly said,
"Sir, I'm so struck when here before ye,
I fear I've blundered in the story.
'Fore George! but I'll not blunder now:
Yours was the bull, sir; mine the cow!"
His worship's bull had forced a gate,
And gored his cow, the last and best;
By sickness he had lost the rest.
Hodge felt at heart resentment strong—
The heart will feel that suffers long.
A thought that instant took his head,
And thus within himself he said:
"If Hodge, for once, don't sting the squire,
May people post him for a liar!"
He said—across his shoulder throws
His fork, and to his landlord goes.
"I come, an't please you, to unfold
What, soon or late, you must be told.
My bull—a creature tame till now—
My bull has gored your worship's cow.
'Tis known what shifts I make to live:
Perhaps your honour may forgive."
"Forgive!" the squire replied, and swore;
"Pray cant to me, forgive, no more;
The law my damage shall decide,
And know, that I'll be satisfied."—
"Think, sir, I'm poor—poor as a rat."—
"Think I'm a justice, think of that!"
Hodge bowed his head, and scratched his head;
And recollecting, archly said,
"Sir, I'm so struck when here before ye,
I fear I've blundered in the story.
'Fore George! but I'll not blunder now:
Yours was the bull, sir; mine the cow!"
His worship found his rage subside,
And with calm accent thus replied:
"I'll think upon your case to-night;
But I perceive 'tis altered quite!"
Hodge shrugged, and made another bow:
"An' please ye, where's the justice now?"
And with calm accent thus replied:
"I'll think upon your case to-night;
But I perceive 'tis altered quite!"
Hodge shrugged, and made another bow:
"An' please ye, where's the justice now?"