The Pub in Literature: England's Altered State
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William Wordsworth Benjamin the Waggoner Canto III
1 Right gladly had the horses stirred, 2 When they the wished-for greeting heard, 3 The whip's loud notice from the door, 4 That they were free to move once more. 5 You think, those doings must have bred 6 In them disheartening doubts and dread; 7 No, not a horse of all the eight, 8 Although it be a moonless night, 9 Fears either for himself or freight; 10 For this they know (and let it hide, 11 In part, the offences of their guide) 12 That Benjamin, with clouded brains, 13 Is worth the best with all their pains; 14 And, if they had a prayer to make, 15 The prayer would be that they may take 16 With him whatever comes in course, 17 The better fortune or the worse; 18 That no one else may have business near them, 19 And, drunk or sober, he may steer them. 20 So, forth in dauntless mood they fare, 21 And with them goes the guardian pair. 22 Now, heroes, for the true commotion, 23 The triumph of your late devotion! 24 Can aught on earth impede delight, 25 Still mounting to a higher height; 26 And higher still---a greedy flight! 27 Can any low-born care pursue her, 28 Can any mortal clog come to her? 56 Forthwith, obedient to command, 57 The horses made a quiet stand; 58 And to the waggon's skirts was tied 59 The Creature, by the Mastiff's side, 60 The Mastiff wondering, and perplext 61 With dread of what will happen next; 62 And thinking it but sorry cheer, 63 To have such company so near! 64 This new arrangement made, the Wain 65 Through the still night proceeds again; 66 No Moon hath risen her light to lend; 67 But indistinctly may be kenned 68 The Vanguard, following close behind, 69 Sails spread, as if to catch the wind! 70 "Thy wife and child are snug and warm, 71 Thy ship will travel without harm; 72 I like," said Benjamin, "her shape and stature: 73 And this of mine---this bulky creature 74 Of which I have the steering---this, 75 Seen fairly, is not much amiss! 76 We want your streamers, friend, you know; 77 But, altogether as we go, 78 We make a kind of handsome show! 79 Among these hills, from first to last, 80 We've weathered many a furious blast; 81 Hard passage forcing on, with head 82 Against the storm, and canvass spread. 83 I hate a boaster; but to thee 84 Will say't, who know'st both land and sea, 85 The unluckiest hulk that stems the brine 86 Is hardly worse beset than mine, 87 When cross-winds on her quarter beat; 88 And, fairly lifted from my feet, 89 I stagger onward---heaven knows how; 90 But not so pleasantly as now: 91 Poor pilot I, by snows confounded, 92 And many a foundrous pit surrounded! 93 Yet here we are, by night and day 94 Grinding through rough and smooth our way; 95 Through foul and fair our task fulfilling; 96 And long shall be so yet---God willing!" 97 "Ay," said the Tar, "through fair and foul--- 98 But save us from yon screeching owl!" 99 That instant was begun a fray 100 Which called their thoughts another way: 101 The mastiff, ill-conditioned carl! 102 What must he do but growl and snarl, 103 Still more and more dissatisfied 104 With the meek comrade at his side! 105 Till, not incensed though put to proof, 106 The Ass, uplifting a hind hoof, 107 Salutes the Mastiff on the head; 108 And so were better manners bred, 109 And all was calmed and quieted. 110 "Yon screech-owl," says the Sailor, turning 111 Back to his former cause of mourning, 112 "Yon owl!---pray God that all be well! 113 'Tis worse than any funeral bell; 114 As sure as I've the gift of sight, 115 We shall be meeting ghosts to-night!" 116 ---Said Benjamin, "This whip shall lay 117 A thousand, if they cross our way. 118 I know that Wanton's noisy station, 119 I know him and his occupation; 120 The jolly bird hath learned his cheer 121 Upon the banks of Windermere; 122 Where a tribe of them make merry, 123 Mocking the Man that keeps the ferry; 124 Hallooing from an open throat, 125 Like travellers shouting for a boat. 126 ---The tricks he learned at Windermere 127 This vagrant owl is playing here--- 128 That is the worst of his employment: 129 He's at the top of his enjoyment!" 130 This explanation stilled the alarm, 131 Cured the foreboder like a charm; 132 This, and the manner, and the voice, 133 Summoned the Sailor to rejoice; 134 His heart is up---he fears no evil 135 From life or death, from man or devil; 136 He wheels---and, making many stops, 137 Brandished his crutch against the mountain tops; 138 And, while he talked of blows and scars, 139 Benjamin, among the stars, 140 Beheld a dancing---and a glancing; 141 Such retreating and advancing 142 As, I ween, was never seen 143 In bloodiest battle since the days of Mars!
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