POETRY.

[Thu incident commemorated in the following ballad occurred in the first year of the Civil War. The prompt action of the ladies decided the fate of the town.]

KING CHARLES' cavaliers came a-prancing and a-dancing,

A-dancing and a-prancing unto Bristol; Sir Ferdinando Gorges with horse and foot advancing To the grim old walls of Bristol.

" Soho ! you rogues or Roundheads, which ever title fit ye : Let in our loyal regiments to garrison your city !

Or we'll have to batter you, and that would be a pity :

Ye Roundhead rebels of Bristol City!

Ranting, canting knaves of Bristol!"

Out spake Richard Aldworth, where the Council sat debating In the corporation hall of Bristol : "What be us to do? Us can't keep the gentry waiLii ; ! " Said the undecided Mayor of Bristol.

"But Essex stands at Frome Gate with the Parliamentary forces ;

And it caddies me to say what Bristol's wisest course is : Shall us ope' to friend or foe ? What's the sense of this committee?"

Said the hesitating Mayor of Bristol City, The tersy-versy Mayor of Bristol!

Aldermen and Councillors their several minds did render, Disputing on the fate of Bristol.

Some were keen for fighting, but the most advised surrender The crumbling, tumbling walls of Bristol.

But ere they took the vote there was heard a sudden knocking And a crowd of pretty ladies into the hall came flocking. And the leader of them all, it was charming Mistreso Kitty:

Mistress Kitty Aldworth of Bristol City, Lady of the Mayor of Bristol.

"Are ye mad, or fools, or traitors ? " the lady cried, indignant. "What would ye do, ye men of Bristol ?

D'ye quake to hear the bluster of yonder proud malignant? Do we breed cowards now at Bristol ?

Break off this impious parley with Amalek and Edom, And welcome him who draws his sword for faith and freedom, Our noble General Essex, the handsome, brave, and witty !

For he's the man to keep the walls of Bristol City, And protect us timid dames of Bristol !"

The Mayor grew red's a peony, and his dignity was awful. Says he: " 'Tis I be Mayor of Bristol, And you'in my wife, to honour and obey in all things lawful: A zample to the wives of Bristol.

So you may take my orders to Zechariah Saunders, To open our south gate to the Parliament commanders:— 'Stead o' dido-dandering here, which I don't consider fifty!"

Said the proper-minded Mayor of Bristol City, Said the well-conducted Mayor of Bristol.

Then answered Mistress Aldworth : "I bow to your correction.

Now you speak like the Mayor of Bristol !

Let women be in silence, and learn with due subjection,' As all good women do at Bristol.

But you needn't open Frame Gate ; we've done it a'ready !

Just look out into Wine Street, you'll see them marching steady,

With their trumpets and their banners a-marching very

pretty, All for to take possession of Bristol City, The godly, quiet town of Bristol 1"

So Bristol town was saved by the ladies' petty treason : And Essex kept the forts of Bristol.

Rupert came ere long and banged them for a season; But he broke his finest teeth on Bristol.

And if to-day an English tongue may chatter as it pleases, 'Thout fear of Laud's pillory or Charles' Little Eases : Why, we may thank those burghers so sturdy and so gritty; Likewise the gallant ladies of Bristol City, Those prompt and ready dames of Bristol.

EDWARD SYDNEY TYLEE.