The Pub in Literature: England's Altered State
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William Wordsworth Benjamin the Waggoner Canto II
1 If Wytheburn's modest House of prayer, 2 As lowly as the lowliest dwelling, 3 Had, with its belfry's humble stock, 4 A little pair that hang in air, 5 Been mistress also of a clock, 6 (And one, too, not in crazy plight) 7 Twelve strokes that clock would have been telling 8 Under the brow of old Helvellyn--- 9 Its bead-roll of midnight, 10 Then, when the Hero of my tale 11 Was passing by, and, down the vale 12 (The vale now silent, hushed I ween 13 As if a storm had never been) 14 Proceeding with a mind at ease; 15 While the old Familiar of the seas 16 Intent to use his utmost haste, 17 Gained ground upon the Waggon fast, 18 And gives another lusty cheer; 19 For spite of rumbling of the wheels, 20 A welcome greeting he can hear;--- 21 It is a fiddle in its glee 22 Dinning from the Cherry Tree! 23 Thence the sound---the light is there--- 24 As Benjamin is now aware, 25 Who, to his inward thoughts confined, 26 Had almost reached the festive door, 27 When, startled by the Sailor's roar, 28 He hears a sound and sees the light, 29 And in a moment calls to mind 30 That 'tis the village Merry-night! 31 Although before in no dejection, 32 At this insidious recollection 33 His heart with sudden joy is filled,--- 34 His ears are by the music thrilled, 35 His eyes take pleasure in the road 36 Glittering before him bright and broad; 37 And Benjamin is wet and cold, 38 And there are reasons manifold 39 That make the good, tow'rds which he's yearning, 40 Look fairly like a lawful earning. 41 Nor has thought time to come and go, 42 To vibrate between yes and no; 43 For, cries the Sailor, "Glorious chance 44 That blew us hither!---let him dance, [Page 78] 45 Who can or will!---my honest soul, 46 Our treat shall be a friendly bowl!" 47 He draws him to the door---"Come in, 48 Come, come," cries he to Benjamin! 49 And Benjamin---ah, woe is me! 50 Gave the word---the horses heard 51 And halted, though reluctantly. 52 'Blithe souls and lightsome hearts have we, 53 Feasting at the Cherry Tree!' 54 This was the outside proclamation, 55 This was the inside salutation; 56 What bustling---jostling---high and low! 57 A universal overflow! 58 What tankards foaming from the tap! 59 What store of cakes in every lap! 60 What thumping---stumping---overhead! 61 The thunder had not been more busy: 62 With such a stir you would have said, 63 This little place may well be dizzy! 64 'Tis who can dance with greatest vigour--- 65 'Tis what can be most prompt and eager; 66 As if it heard the fiddle's call, 67 The pewter clatters on the wall; 68 The very bacon shows it feeling, 69 Swinging from the smoky ceiling! 70 A steaming bowl, a blazing fire, 71 What greater good can heart desire? 72 'Twere worth a wise man's while to try 73 The utmost anger of the sky: 74 To seek for thoughts of a gloomy cast, 75 If such the bright amends at last. 76 Now should you say I judge amiss, 77 The Cherry Tree shows proof of this; 78 For soon of all the happy there, 79 Our Travellers are the happiest pair; 80 All care with Benjamin is gone--- 81 A Cæsar past the Rubicon! 82 He thinks not of his long, long, strife;--- 83 The Sailor, Man by nature gay, 84 Hath no resolves to throw away; 85 And he hath now forgot his Wife, 86 Hath quite forgotten her---or may be 87 Thinks her the luckiest soul on earth, 88 Within that warm and peaceful berth, 89 Under cover, 90 Terror over, 91 Sleeping by her sleeping Baby. 92 With bowl that sped from hand to hand, 93 The gladdest of the gladsome band, 94 Amid their own delight and fun, 95 They hear---when every dance is done, 96 When every whirling bout is o'er--- 97 The fiddle's squeak that call to bliss, 98 Ever followed by a kiss; 99 They envy not the happy lot, 100 But enjoy their own the more! 101 While thus our jocund Travellers fare, 102 Up springs the Sailor from his chair--- 103 Limps (for I might have told before 104 That he was lame) across the floor--- 105 Is gone---returns---and with a prize; 106 With what?---a Ship of lusty size; 107 A gallant stately Man-of-war, 108 Fixed on a smoothly-sliding car. 109 Surprise to all, but most surprise 110 To Benjamin, who rubs his eyes, 111 Not knowing that he had befriended 112 A Man so gloriously attended! 113 "This," cries the Sailor, "a Third-rate is--- 114 Stand back, and you shall see her gratis! 115 This was the Flag-ship at the Nile, 116 The Vanguard---you may smirk and smile, 117 But, pretty Maid, if you look near, 118 You'll find you've much in little here! 119 A nobler ship did never swim, 120 And you shall see her in full trim: 121 I'll set, my friends, to do you honour, 122 Set every inch of sail upon her." 123 So said, so done; and masts, sails, yards, 124 He names them all; and interlards 125 His speech with uncouth terms of art, 126 Accomplished in the showman's part; 127 And then, as from a sudden check, 128 Cries out---"'Tis there, the quarter-deck 129 On which brave Admiral Nelson stood--- 130 A sight that would have roused your blood! 131 One eye he had, which, bright as ten, 132 Burned like a fire among his men; 133 Let this be land, and that be sea, 134 Here lay the French---and thus came we!" 135 Hushed was by this the fiddle's sound, 136 The dancers all were gathered round, 137 And, such the stillness of the house, 138 You might have heard a nibbling mouse; 139 While, borrowing helps where'er he may, 140 The Sailor through the story runs 141 Of ships to ships and guns to guns; 142 And does his utmost to display 143 The dismal conflict, and the might 144 And terror of that marvellous night! 145 "A bowl, a bowl of double measure," 146 Cries Benjamin, "a draught of length, 147 To Nelson, England's pride and treasure, 148 Her bulwark and her tower of strength!" 149 When Benjamin had seized the bowl, 150 The mastiff, from beneath the waggon, 151 Where he lay, watchful as a dragon, 152 Rattled his chain;---'twas all in vain, 153 For Benjamin, triumphant soul! 154 He heard the monitory growl; 155 Heard---and in opposition quaffed 156 A deep, determined, desperate draught! 157 Nor did the battered Tar forget, 158 Or flinch from what he deemed his debt: 159 Then, like a hero crowned with laurel, 160 Back to her place the ship he led; 161 Wheeled her back in full apparel; 162 And so, flag flying at mast head, 163 Re-yoked her to the Ass:---anon, 164 Cries Benjamin, "We must be gone." 165 Thus, after two hours' hearty stay, 166 Again behold them on their way!
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