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Poem
March 2, 1759
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A rhyming fable depicts a man and his son leading an ass, adjusting their riding to please passersby but facing endless criticism, ending with the moral that trying to please all is futile.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
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Full Text
An old-fashioned RHYMING TALE.
ONCE on a Time it by Chance came to pass,
That a Man and his Son were leading an Ass.
Cries a Passenger, Neighbour you're sadly put to't,
To lead an Ass empty, and trudge it on Foot.
Nay, quoth the old Fellow, if Folk do so mind us
I'll e'en climb the Ass, and Boy mount behind us :
But as they jogg'd on, they were laugh'd at and hiss'd,
What ! two booby Lubbers on one sorry Beast !
This is such a Figure as never was known ;
T'is a Sign that the Ass is none of your own.
Then down gets the Boy, and walks by the Side,
Till another cries What, you old Fool, must you ride,
When you see the poor Child, that is weakly and young,
Forc'd through thick and thin to trudge it along ?
Then down gets the Father, and up gets the Son :
If this cannot please them we ne'er shall have done?
They had not gone far but a Woman cries out,
O you young graceless Imp ! you'll be hanged no doubt !
Must you ride an Ass, and your Father that's grey,
E'en Foot it, and pick out the best of his Way
So now to please all, they but one Trick lack,
And that was to carry the Ass a pick back :
But when that was tried, it appear'd such a Jest.
It occasion'd more Laughter by half than the Rest.
Thus he who'd please all, and their good liking gain,
Shews a deal of Good nature. but labours in vain.
ONCE on a Time it by Chance came to pass,
That a Man and his Son were leading an Ass.
Cries a Passenger, Neighbour you're sadly put to't,
To lead an Ass empty, and trudge it on Foot.
Nay, quoth the old Fellow, if Folk do so mind us
I'll e'en climb the Ass, and Boy mount behind us :
But as they jogg'd on, they were laugh'd at and hiss'd,
What ! two booby Lubbers on one sorry Beast !
This is such a Figure as never was known ;
T'is a Sign that the Ass is none of your own.
Then down gets the Boy, and walks by the Side,
Till another cries What, you old Fool, must you ride,
When you see the poor Child, that is weakly and young,
Forc'd through thick and thin to trudge it along ?
Then down gets the Father, and up gets the Son :
If this cannot please them we ne'er shall have done?
They had not gone far but a Woman cries out,
O you young graceless Imp ! you'll be hanged no doubt !
Must you ride an Ass, and your Father that's grey,
E'en Foot it, and pick out the best of his Way
So now to please all, they but one Trick lack,
And that was to carry the Ass a pick back :
But when that was tried, it appear'd such a Jest.
It occasion'd more Laughter by half than the Rest.
Thus he who'd please all, and their good liking gain,
Shews a deal of Good nature. but labours in vain.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Fable
Ass
Pleasing All
Moral Lesson
Rhyming Tale
Criticism
Poem Details
Title
An Old Fashioned Rhyming Tale.
Subject
Man And Son With Ass Pleasing Critics
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Once On A Time It By Chance Came To Pass,
That A Man And His Son Were Leading An Ass.
Thus He Who'd Please All, And Their Good Liking Gain,
Shews A Deal Of Good Nature. But Labours In Vain.