Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/125

 

"What are taken," says Belthard, "for spirits and ghosts,
For the most part turn out either donkeys or posts,
Or some fool with a sheet on; this Grange ghost you'll see
Is all "bosh," as I'll prove, if you'll leave it to me."
But the villagers said,
As they listen'd with dread,
They didn't think Belthard was right in his head.

Still Belthard continued, "Is any one here
Whose heart, like my own, is a stranger to fear!
Let him hold his right hand up." Cried Crump, "Look at me!
And the man you inquire for at once you shall see."
"Hurrah!" cried the smith,
"He's a real bit of pith,
And precisely the man I should like to go with."

The meeting was frantic with joy as they gazed
On these two noble spirits, but most were amazed
At the courage evinced by brave Anthony Crump,
Who lived round the comer, three doors from the pump;
He, majestic and stern,
Said to Belthard, "I burn
With desire to watch singly; come, give me first turn."

"You're on!" said the blacksmith ; "this evening, alone,
To the ghost and the village your pluck shall be shown."
"I don't know about that," said brave Crump; "how's the moon?
Don't you fancy to-night would be rather too soon?"
But the meeting cried, "No!
It's the right time to go,
And you're certain to see him." Crump merely said "Oh!"