A pretty boy, but most unteachable And never learnt a prayer nor told a bead; But knew the names of birds, and mocked their notes, And whistled, as he were a bird himself! And all the autumn 'twas his only play To gather seeds of wild-flowers, and to plant them A Friar, who oft cull'd simples in the wood, The boy loved him-and, when the Friar taught him, So he became a very learned youth. But oh! poor wretch! he read, and read, and read, But yet his speech, it was so soft and sweet, A fever seized him, and he made confession Of all the heretical and lawless talk Which brought this judgment. So the youth was seized And cast into that hole. My husband's father 1 He always doted on the youth, and now MARIA. "Tis a sweet tale : Such as would lull a listening child to sleep, And what became of him? FOSTER-MOTHER. He went on ship-board, With those bold voyagers who made discovery Of golden lands. Leoni's youngest brother And ne'er was heard of more; but 'tis supposed, |