THE GATESHEAD RADS.

T'other day aw was saunt'ring down the New Street, And had turn'd to gan back, when whe should aw meet, Reet plump i' the face, but sage Tommy Rav-ly, Just come frae the council, and looking most gravely. Wi' Tommy, says aw, what can be the matter? Your plawd is aw dirt, and your teeth in a chatter; Has your colleagues in office been using a broom, And sooping the dirt all out of the room? Now, James, he replied, Pray don't be prosy, Or sure as you're there, I'll make you quite nosey; I've gotten enough to make me look blue, Without being bother'd with plebeians like you. Just think, when the last time in council we met, We propos'd and appointed our yellow-hair'd Pet To be Justice's clerk, and pocket the fees, For which he came almost plump down on his knees. But no sooner did we our backs fairly turn, Than they (devil take them!) appointed Swinburne, And laugh'd in their sleeves to think how we'd stare; But James, you must know, they had better beware. Now, Tommy, says aw, just keep yoursel' aisy, For at present aw'm sure that ye look very crazy; Make the Quaker your purser, and he'll put ye right, For aw'm sure that the strings he will keep verra tight. A sixpence he'll make gan as far as a pound, So that will be nineteen and sixpence ye've found; Just leave all to him and W. H. B., And no doubt ye will prosper, as shortly ye'll see. Now come, let's away to the bonny Blue Bell, And there we will drink a quart o' yor yell, And then aw will tell ye what next ye maun de— But mind ye say nowse 'bout it coming frae me. He then made a start, but nowt did he say, ('Tween councillor and plebeian, that's may be the way,) Till into the house we fairly did stumble, When, "go cab my lug," he was then verra humble. Now, Tommy, maw man, aw see nowse that ye've done, But aw hope ye intend to commence verra soon; A market we maun hae, an' at the Brig-end— A place that old Jacky oft dis recommend— To save us the fash, and aiblins the pain, Of ganging right o'er unto the High-crane; And mind what I say, if we want ony peace During sermon, on Sunday, oppose the police. At that he did open his eyes verra wide— Ah, beggar! aw thought aw'd offended his pride; But nought o' the sort, for he held out his loof— Now, James, my good fellow, you've said quite enough. My int'rest, aw'm sure, you always shall hae, And a job aw will get you on the Sabbath-day; For some one at the council this day did propose, That we the dog-fights in Green's Field should oppose. And Usher was told for to seek out three men, To assist him on Sundays, and thou shalt be ane; And 'bout what thou wert saying a motion aw'll bring, For, doubtless, 'twill prove a necessary thing. We thank ye, says aw, but d'ye think that ye're right, In trying to stop us frae seeing a dog-fight; For maw thoughts about liberty it fairly clogs, Yet—we've barking enough wi' twe-fooled dogs. Gateshead, March 1, 1836. Y. S.