Page:Historical and biographical sketches.djvu/242

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238
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of Philadelphia, the Goldsboroughs and Duponts of Delaware, and some of the English and German nobility.[1]

  1. A MS. volume of surveys in the library of the Historical Society of Penna., made in 1733 and 1734, contains the following doggerel. The authorship is unknown.

        “Old moor of moor Hall
          Did with nothing at all
    Distroy a most Terrible Dragon
          which notable feat
          has Caused a whole State
    In songs for to bluster & brag on.
     
          But now he's outdone
          By a stripling his son
    Who is made up of nothing but Wonder
          for moor of moor hall
          whos Deeds were not small
    to his son must in Justice Knock under.

          The wonderous youth
          to tell you the truth
    Does fight in a way thats not common
          ffor though he hates Steel
            as men hate the De'il
    Or a Debtor the sight of a Sumon,

          Yet once on a Day
          there stood in his way
    a Creature as big as a Tyger
          he had two fierce Eyes
          off a very large size
    And seemed to have abundance of vigour.
     
          this youth of moor Hall
          was not Daunted at all
    at a Creature that looked so frightful!
          He made not a word
        but out with his sword
    and at him both furious and spitefull.

          the fight lasted long
          for the monster was strong
    well Known by the name of Poor Torry
          but maugre his Strength
          the youth was at length
    Victorious as I heard the Story,

          But this is a feat
          Scarce worth to relate
    A meer silly thing and a triffle
          to what he has done
          with his round barrelled gun
    and an excelent piece called a Riffle.

          this Hero he saw
          Just after a thaw
    a flock of large Ducks on the water
          and also Espied
          A Deer tother side
    a Deer you scarce ere Saw a ffatter.

          he looked down his gun
          which quickly was done
    and loaded with Ball and Small Shot sir
          at the Ducks he let fly
          and caused some to die
    ffor twelve out of thirteen he got sir.

          And what will you puzzel
          He mounted the muzzel
    Ere the Ball from the Barrel got clear, Sir
          And aimed so right
          That the Ball in its flight
    Passd quite thro the heart of the Deer, Sir.