“Vhy, this is it:—­I think ve might
To Hornsey have a day;
Maria, Peg, and Sal, and Bet
Ve’d pack into a ‘chay.’

“Our Jim and Harry both could valk,
(God bless their little feet!)
The babby in my arms I’d take—­
I’m sure ’twould be a treat;”

Quoth he:  “I am unanimous!”
And so the day was fix’d;
And forth they started in good trim,
Tho’ not with toil umnix’d.

Across his shoulders Sibson bore
A basket with the “grub,”
And to the “chay” perform’d the “horse,”
Lest Mrs. S____ should snub.

Apollo smiled!—­that is, the sun
Blazed in a cloudless sky,
And Sibson soon was in a “broil”
By dragging of his “fry.”

Says S____, “My love, I’m dry as dust!”
When she replied, quite gay,
“Then, drink; for see I’ve bottled up
My spirits for the day.”

And from the basket drew a flask,
And eke a footless glass;
He quaff’d the drink, and cried, “Now, dear,
I’m strong as ____” let that pass!

At last they reach’d the destined spot
And prop and babes unpacked;
They ran about, and stuff’d, and cramm’d,
And really nothing lack’d.

And Sibson, as he “blew a cloud,”
Declared, “It vos a day!”
And vow’d that he would come again—­
Then call’d for “Vot’s to pay?”

A day’s pleasure.—­No.  II.

The Journey home.

“Vot a soaking ve shall get.”

Across the fields they homeward trudged, when, lo! a heavy rain
Came pouring from the sky;
Poor Sibson haul’d, the children squall’d; alas! it was too plain
They would not reach home dry.

With clay-clogg’d wheels, and muddy heels, and Jim upon his back,
He grumbled on his way;
“Vell, blow my vig! this is a rig!” cried Sibson, “Vell! alack! 
I shan’t forget this day!

“My shoes is sop, my head’s a mop; I’m vet as any think;
Oh! shan’t ve cotch a cold!”
“Your tongue is glib enough!” his rib exclaim’d, and made him shrink,
—­For she was such a scold—­

And in her eye he could descry a spark that well he knew
Into a flame would rise;
So he was dumb, silent and glum, as the small “chay” he drew,
And ventured no replies.

Slip, slop, and slush! past hedge and bush, the dripping mortals go
(Tho’ ’twas “no go” S____ thought);
“If this ’ere’s fun, vy I for vuu,” cried he, with face of woe,
“Von’t soon again be caught.

“Vet to the skin, thro’ thick and thin, to trapes ain’t to my mind;
So the next holiday
I vill not roam, but stick at home, for there at least I’ll find
The means to soak my clay.

“Tis quite a fag, this ‘chay’ to drag—­the babbies too is cross,
And Mrs. S____ is riled. 
’Tis quite a bore; the task is more—­more fitt’rer for an horse;
And vith the heat I’m briled!

“No, jaunts adoo!  I’ll none o’ you!”—­and soon they reach’d their home,
Wet through and discontent—­
“Sure sich a day, I needs must say,” exclaim’d his loving spouse,
“Afore I never spent!”