button to main menu  Gents Mag 1791 p.722
button introduction
button list, 4th qtr 18th century
button previous page
Gentleman's Magazine 1791 p.722

As these companions here may drink
Ere they have had their fill.

"Let thou and I, in bumpers full,
This grand affair decide," -
"Accurs'd be he," Duke Wharton said,
"By whom it is denied!"

To Andrews, and to Hotham fair,
Many a pint went round;
And many a gallant Gentleman
Lay sick upon the ground.

When at the last the Duke espied
He had the Earl secure,
He plied with a full pint glass,
Which laid him on the floor:

"Who never spoke more words than these,
After he downward sunk:
"My worthy friends, revenge my fall;
Duke Wharton sees me drunk."

Then with a groan, Duke Philip took
The sick man by the joint,
And said, "Earl Harold, 'stead of thee,
Would I have drunk the pint!

"Alack! my very heart doth bleed,
And doth within me sink;
For surely a more sober Earl
Did never swallow drink!"

With that the Sheriff, in a rage
To see the Earl so smit,
Vow'd to revenge the dead-drunk Peer
Upon renown'd Sir Kit.

Then stepp'd a gallant 'Squire forth,
Of visage thin and pale;
Lloyd was his name, and of Gang-hall,
Fast by the river Swale:

Who said, he would not have it told,
Where Eden river ran,
That unconcern'd he should sit by, -
"So, Sheriff, I'm your man!"

Now when these tidings reach'd the room,
Where the Duke lay in bed,
How that the 'Squire suddenly
Upon the floor was laid;

"O heavy tidings!" quoth the Duke,
"Cumberland witness be,
I have not any toper more
Of such account as he."

Like tidings to Earl Thanet came,
Within as short a space,
How that the Under-sheriff too
Was fallen from his place;

"Now God be with him," said the Earl,
"Sith 't will no better be;
I trust I have, within my towns,
As drunken Knights as he."

Of all the number that were there,
Sir Bains he scorn'd to yield;
But, within a bumper in his hand,
He stagger'd o'er the field.

Thus did the dire contention end,
And each man of the slain
Were quickly carried off to bed,
Their senses to regain.

God bless the King! the Duchess sat!
And keep the land in peace!
And grant that drunkenness henceforth
'Mong noblemen may cease!

And likewise bless our Royal Prince
The nation's other hope!
And give us grace for to defy
The Devil and the Pope!
Yours, &c.
W.M.
button continued
gazetteer links
button -- Eden Hall
button to main menu Lakes Guides menu.