The Death Chase [pp. 476-482]

[May,
Tle Death Chase.
476
hoped that the fair Elsie will remain as
blissfully ignorant of many facts in the life of
that hypothetical husband, who is at present probably sowing his wild oats industriously somewhere the other side of the
water. The Dykemans will cross in the
fall to winter in southern Europe, and next
season Elsie will be launched in London.
I wonder what I should do with a
daughter if I had one? Dottie said to me
yesterday: "Issam, why don't you buy a nice little
girl like me?'N'en you would n't be lonely
stormy days when my mamma don't let
me come over to your house to play wif
you
Batterman Lindsay.
,' THE DEATH CHASE.'
THE HOLY PILGRIM AND THE ROYSTERERS
THREE.
A7 HILOME in Flanders dwelt a wilful band,
That gave their every thought and earthly care
To passing vanities and follies, such
As taverning and hazardry and stews;
And they did trouble with their harps and lutes
The restful hours of both the day and night,
So that good folk would shrew them in their prayers;
And oft they frolicked in such wanton guise,
The Demon smiled and rubbed his grimy hands,
When they did gather for a masque or rout;
And as the Jews had not done hurt enough,
They uttered oaths so villainous and dire,
It did appear it was their curst intent
To tear anew the body of the Lord.
Now, so it chanced, upon a blessed day
Three of these roysterers, ere morning prime,
Were feasting happily when on their ears
There fell the tinkle of a funeral bell,
It was the wont in those far times to ring
Before a body carried to the grave.
Then one did charge a stripling carle to go
And question, on the sheet whose corpse it was
That now did happen to be passing by.
"Sir Cavalier," the simple youth returned,
IA Modernizing of Chaucer.