Definitions.—­2.  Warden, a keeper, one who guards, 4.  En-croach’ment, unlawful intrusion on the rights of others.  Brig’ands, robbers, those who live by plunder. 5.  Mot’ley, composed of various colors.  De-mo’ni-ac, devil-like. 6.  Sub-or’di-nate, inferior in power. 7.  Ma-rines, soldiers that serve on board of ships.  De-mean’or, be-havior, deportment. 8.  Par’ley, conversation or conference with an enemy. 9.  Re-mis’sion (pro. re-mish’un), pardon of transgression. 11.  Im-pre-ca’tions, curses, prayers for evil.  Ex-pos’tu-lat-ed, rea-soned earnestly. 12.  In-dom’i-ta-ble, that can not be subdued or tamed. 17.  Blenched. gave way, shrunk. 18.  In-trep’id, fearless. 19, Re-prieve’, a delay of punishment. 21.  Pre-cip’i-tan-cy, headlong hurry.

XLII.  FAITHLESS NELLY GRAY.

Thomas Hood (b. 1798, d. 1845) was the son of a London bookseller.  After leaving school he undertook to learn the art of an engraver, but soon turned his attention to literature.  In 1821 he became sub-editor of the “London Magazine.”  Hood is best known as a humorist; but some of his poems are full of the tenderest pathos; and a gentle, humane spirit pervades even his lighter productions.  He was poor, and during the last years of his life suffered much from ill health.  Some of his most humorous pieces were written on a sick bed.

1.  Ben Battle was a soldier bold,
     And used to war’s alarms;
   But a cannon ball took off his legs,
     So he laid down his arms!

2.  Now, as they bore him off the field,
     Said he, “Let others shoot,
   For here I leave my second leg,
     And the Forty-second Foot!”

3.  The army surgeons made him limbs;
     Said he, “They’re only pegs: 
   But there’s as wooden members quite,
     As represent my legs!”

4.  Now Ben, he loved a pretty maid,
     Her Name was Nelly Gray;
   So he went to pay her his devoirs,
     When he’d devoured his pay.

5.  But when he called on Nelly Gray,
     She made him quite a scoff;
   And when she saw his wooden legs,
     Began to take them off!

6.  “O Nelly Gray!  O Nelly Gray! 
     Is this your love so warm’? 
   The love that loves a scarlet coat
     Should be more uniform!”

7.  Said she, “I loved a soldier once,
     For he was blithe and brave;
   But I will never have a man
     With both legs in the grave!

8.  “Before you had these timber toes,
     Your love I did allow,
   But then, you know, you stand upon
     Another footing now!”

9.  “O false and fickle Nelly Gray! 
     I know why you refuse: 
   Though I’ve no feet—­some other man
     Is standing in my shoes!

10.  “I wish I ne’er had seen your face;
      But, now, a long farewell! 
    For you will be my death;—­alas! 
      You will not be my Nell!”