An Elegy Upon the Death of all the greatest Gentry in Darley-Dalle, who loved Hunting and Hawking, and several other Games. The Poet's view, well known to you, to be too true, and so adieu, by me LEO. W. 1672.
Reading edition
The following extremely curious poem, containing many interesting allusions to families long since departed, was written in 1672, by Leonard Wheatcroft, some time clerk of the parish, poet, tailor, and schoolmaster, at Ashover, in Derbyshire. He was a man of talent, and wrote many things which are worth collecting together. It is here printed from the original MS. The last verse was evidently added after the accession of George the First.
The title of the ballad is particularly quaint, and characteristic of the man and of the county of which he was a native. In the dialect of the district the rhymes would be perfect, and would read thus:—
The Poet's view Well known to yew, To be too trew, And so adieu By me Leo Double Yew, Sixteen seventy tew.
1. As I on Oaker-hill[59] one day did stand, Viewing the world which I could not command, I turn'd my face tou'rd Berchore[60] partly west, To view where Greaveses us'd to have their nest; But out, alas! I found they were all gone, Not one was left to rest against a stone. 2. Then looking forward, the coast being very cleare, At Rowther,[61] there I found one Adam Eayre; But now he's gone, left house and land behind him, So to be short I know not where to find him; But if any counceller can make it out, He'st have his land and I will go without. 3. I'll up to Hassap[62] to hear them sing a mass, There I shall know who made the old man pass; Death made it wrong, I send him to purgatory, Where he must stay till he be fit for glory; But if there be such a place 'twixt this and heaven, I fear he cannot pass, 'tis so uneven. 4. Then did I to my panting muses say, Haste and begone, you shall no longer stay (within this place); Haste and begone, upon Calton top your banners, And call at Haddon, where lived ould John Manners, O use him kindly I strictly you command, For he was kind to th' poore of Ingland. 5. But now he's gone, like others hence away, Then for another Earle like him ever pray, That will be kind both unto Rich and Poore, Then God Almighty will increase his store, And bless him here upon this earthly throne, And at the last call him one of his owne. 6. Walking by the River, Stanton[63] I did spye, But neither Calton[64] nor a Bage[65] saw I: They are all gone and none left but old Boards, Alas! alas! what doth this world affordes. There's severall more that are slipt out o' th' way, But not one word of them I here will say. 7. Then calling back my muses, mee thought I Spyed Little Stancliffe[66] standing pleasantly, But not one Steare[67] i' th' stall shall yet be seene; Well fed win springs and deck'd with Lorrells green, But one old Backer Bourning of the owne, Till Steare retourne, there' no one knows how sowne. 8. Then on the hills I came to Darley Hall, To hear that music in those Ashes tall. Listening awhile, I not being pleased well, Thought I where is my pretty Cullen-bell,[68] Whose name and fame made all this vale once sound, But now that honour's buried under ground. 9. Besides your Parsons of Divinity As Pain, and Pot, Edwards, and Mosley, All four divines and men of noble birth, All dead and gone and buried in the earth; How can I chuse but must lament to see My friends all gone who did make much of me. 10. Tho' all in haste one place I have past by, That's Cowley Hall, where oft I heard the cry Of great-mouthed doggs who did not feare to kill What was their master's pleasure, word, and will; His name was Sinner, who ever did him know, He's dead and gone now many years ago. 11. Then turning round, all gone, thus did I thinke, Where shall I make my friend or muses drinke; Then looking down below I did espy A pretty hall which stood me very ney, Where lived the Father, Son, and Wives of either, Both in my time, all-tho' not both together. 12. A Knight the Father, and a Squire the Son, One heir is left, if dead that name is done; This heir being young, with Ladies durst not play, So he in sorrow quickly went away, Leaving no heir o' th' name, no, not one, So farewell Milwards[69] now of Snitterton. 13. Then rushing forward down by Darwen side, My muses presently through Matlock hied, And finding there the good ould pastur gone, I hide to Riber[70] there to make my mone; But out, alas! my sorrows to increase, That name is gone now buried under hears. 14. Wolley, Wolley, Woolley, farewell to thee, A noble Esquire, thou was both kind and free To all that come, I say, both rich and poore, There's few went empty that came to his doore. Walker's fair Hous is almost wore away, With several more now going to decay. 15. To speak of Dedick[71] what shall I do there, Babbington's[72] Treason hateful doth appear; Their house is down, and they are gone to nought, So will all those which ere rebellion sought. Then pray to God for peace and unity, That King and nobles all may well agree. 16. Then I to Ogston,[73] there to break my fast, They all in mourning stood at me agast, To think my friend and lover was departed, And so I left them almost broken hearted; What shall I doe thought I to hide my head, Seeing so many gallants now are dead. 17. Then up by Amber I did quickly hey, None of my ancient friends I could espey, In Asher[74] parish I could find not one, Old Crich,[75] and Dakin,[76] and ould Hobskinson,[77] They are departed and gone hence away, As er self, I have not long to stay. 18. I will retourne unto my hill againe, And cause my muses to sing out a straine, And that in mourning too she shall be drest, To sing new anthems of the very best. And thus you see in a few dayes how they Are all gone hence and tourned to dirt and clay. 19. Farewell you Huntsmen that did hunt the hare, Farewell you Hounds that tired both horse and mare, Farewell you gallant Falkners every one, The chief of all did live at Snitterton. So to conclude both greate and small, Those that are left the Lord preserve them all. By me Leonard Wheatcroft. 20. The conclusion.
This verse is written in a blacker ink, and at a much later time.
If any one of this same truth do doubt, From Oker Hill Ide have them walk about From house to house to prove the truth of this, And then they'll say there's nothing in't amiss. I have no more to say but this my charge, Let all that's heare say pray God bless King George. Finis.