diff options
Diffstat (limited to '10796-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 10796-0.txt | 365 |
1 files changed, 365 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/10796-0.txt b/10796-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..42ec004 --- /dev/null +++ b/10796-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,365 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10796 *** + +The + +STORY + +of the + +TWO BULLS + + +WITH ORIGINAL ENGRAVINGS + + + +NEW YORK: +Daniel Burgess & Co. + +1856 + + + + +THE STORY OF THE TWO BULLS. + + +In former times, my story tells, + There lived one Deacon R., +And not the worst man in the world, + Nor best was he, by far. + +His fields were rich, his acres broad, + And cattle were his pride; +Oxen and sheep, and horses, too, + And what you please, beside. + +His brindle cow, the highest prize + Won at the county fair, +For taper limbs and rounded form, + And short and shining hair. + +Old Bonny Gray, a noble steed + Of sure, majestic pace, +Before the deacon purchased him, + Was famous at a race. + +This story he would sometimes tell, + And at the end would say, +"Alas! such sports are far from right; + But Bonny won the day!" + +Still, more than all, the spotted bull + Had filled the deacon's mind; +His back so straight, his breast so broad, + So perfect of his kind. + +And when 'twas said that Moses Grimes, + A justice of the peace, +Had got the likeliest bull in town, + The deacon had no ease. + +So off he rode to see the squire, + And put this question straight: +"Say, don't you want another bull, + And don't yours want a mate?" + +The squire, perceiving at a glance + All that the man was after, +"Just forty pounds will buy my bull," + Quoth he, with ready laughter. + +And when the beast was brought to view, + And carefully surveyed, +Of deepest red, its every point + Of excellence displayed. + +"I'll take him at your price," said he-- + "Please drive him down to-morrow, +And you shall have the money, sir, + If I the cash can borrow." + +So saying, turned he on his steed, + The nimble-footed Bonny; +To-morrow came, and came the bull-- + The deacon paid the money. + +The sun was hid behind the hills-- + The next day would be Sunday; +"You'll put him in the barn," said he, + "And leave him there till Monday." + +The deacon was a man of peace, + For so he claimed, albeit +When there was war among the beasts, + He always liked to see it. + +"How will the bulls together look, + And which will prove the stronger? +'Twere sin to wish the time to pass-- + 'Twould only make it longer." + +Such thoughts as these, on Sabbath morn, + Like birds of evil token, +Flew round and round the deacon's mind-- + Its holy peace was broken. + +Beyond the hills the steeple rose, + Distant a mile or two. +Our deacon's house and barns and bulls + Were well concealed from view. + +"Be ready all, to meeting go; + Perhaps I may not come-- +A curious fluttering near my heart + Calls me to stay at home." + +As thus he spake, his careful wife + Replied with anxious tone, +"I'll stay with you; 'twere dangerous + To leave you all alone." + +"No," answered he--"go, every one; + I've had the same before, +And, with a little medicine, + No doubt 'twill soon be o'er. + +"Run, Peter, run for Bonny Gray, + Nor tarry till you find him; +I've often heard his own or say + He'd carry all behind him." + +The carriage stands before the door; + They enter--one, two, three; +The deacon says, "There's room for more-- + Enough for Parson G." + +The parson was a portly man-- + The deacon loved to joke; +But afterwards, as it befell, + Was sorry that he spoke. + +They move to join the gathering throng + Within the house of prayer. +Now ceased the bell its solemn peal-- + The deacon was not there. + +Where was he, then? Perhaps you'll say + In easy chair reclining, +The glimmer of his spectacles, + Upon his Bible shining. + +Ah, no! See you that earnest man, + With air so bold and free, +Driving a spotted, warlike bull?-- + That very man is he. + +Left to himself, the deacon grave + Tarried not long within, +And, thinking of his sturdy beasts, + Forgot his medicine. + +"I hope the meeting will be full, + And I shall not be missed," +Softly he breathed, and, looking round, + He murmured, "All is whist!" + +Thus on he drove that spotted bull, + And near the gateway placed him, +And when the other one came out, + It happened so, he faced him. + +"When Greek meets Greek," the deacon said, + "Then comes the tug of war;" +But such another tug, I ween, + The deacon never saw. + +Like sudden thunderbolts they met, + The spotted and the red. +Those bulls will never fight again-- + The spotted one is dead. + +All gored and prostrate in his blood, + He lies upon the ground, +While the unsated red one toward + The deacon made a bound. + +Down from the bars where he was perched. + Aghast, the good man sprung, +And if you'd seen him go it, _then_, + You'd said that he was young. + +Still after him with fury + The bull did rush and roar, +And was very near the deacon + When he reached the outer door. + +Through kitchen and through parlor fine, + Breathless, the poor man flew, +And lo! the bull is at his heels + And in the parlor too. + +A flight of stairs is all that's left + Between him and despair; +He springs to gain the top, and falls, + A sober deacon, there. + +But to his ears terrific sounds + Rise from the room below-- +Tables and glasses, chairs and all, + Crash, crash, together go! + +Upon the wall a mirror hung, + Of massive, gilded frame, +Which had reflected many a squire + And many a worthy dame. + +There last, not least, the raging beast + Descried his form at length, +And deemed it was another bull + Coming to try his strength. + +He plunged to meet his threatening foe, + But fought himself, alas! +While all around in fragments flew + The shattered looking glass! + +"What will come next?" the deacon cries; + "This is too much for one day: +My rifle's loaded, and I'll try + To stop this noise on Sunday." + +With trembling hand he seized the gun, + With wary step descended; +He aimed, he fired, he killed the bull, + And thus the battle ended. + +To yonder house we turn again, + And to the quiet throng +The preacher now has said, Amen! + Now ends the choral song. + +And friendly speech and courtesies + And shake of hands go round, +And each inquires the other's health, + All as in duty bound. + +"How is your spouse?" the parson said; + "I see he's not at meeting." +"This morning, sir," the wife replied, + "His heart was strangely beating. + +"I hope you'll call and see him soon" + "That I shall gladly do." +"Ride down with us--the carriage waits; + There's room enough for you." + +All seated now, with solemn air, + And with a placid smile, +Such words of truth the parson spoke + As might their fears beguile. + +Lo! they alight, the gate in sight-- + "What's that?" the matron said. +Says Peter, "It's the spotted bull, + And I believe he's dead." + +Thus all, amazed, a moment gazed, + And quickly turn about; +In doleful plight, the deacon sighs, + "Murder will surely out! + +"Where shall I go? What shall I do? + I'm caught--I am a sinner! +My wife, good soul--my wife has brought + The parson home to dinner!" + +And with a little spice of wit, + To which he was inclined, +Though none to spare the deacon had, + He thus relieved his mind: + +"I've often heard the preacher say + That good may come of evil; +Still every hour, with all our might, + We must resist the devil. + +"If horn and hoof be any proof, + And if the foot be riven, +Surely I am the very man + That with the beast has striven!" + +Now hurried steps without are heard, + And earnest voices blend; +"I'm in a vice," the deacon groans-- + "When will this torture end?" + +Young Peter, being first within, + For he had run ahead, +Loudly exclaims, "Another bull + Lies in the parlor, dead!" + +They enter all, with hands upraised + And faces filled with wonder-- +There stood confessed the deacon's case, + And all were struck with thunder. + +The tale flew quickly round, and woke + Much pity and more laughter; +But not a word the deacon spoke + Of his two bulls thereafter. + + + + +Listen! listen to my song, + There is meaning in it; +You may know it sha'nt be long-- + Only half a minute. + +Have you ever read the tale-- + Have you heard the story-- +How two bulls together fought + On the field of glory? + +And how a famous hero + Thought it was so cunning, +How he became a master + Of the art of running? + +And how he was so frightened, + In getting up the stairs; +And how he heard the breaking + Of all his china-wares? + +And how his heart was swelling + Up like a pot of yeast; +And how he took a rifle, + And fired it at the beast? + +And how the parish preacher + Had heard that he was sick, +And losing not a moment, + Did come to see him quick? + +And how the rumor flourished, + 'Mongst people young and old, +And how they sighed, and how they laughed + To hear the story told? + +If you have read, remember + The moral of this book-- +Whoever takes the devil's bait, + Is sure to feel the hook. + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of the Two Bulls, by John R. Bolles + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10796 *** |