*T Henry, Translation of a letter from a tenant of Mrs. Van Kleeck (hogs) *U Poem http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/writing/poetry/hogs.htm *U Grammar http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/xmasresearch/grammarhenry.htm#hogs *U Search http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/xmasresearch/searchablehenryspoems.htm#hogs *C MSS p50-1, Jan 1787 My very good landlady, Mistress Van Kleeck, (For the tears that o'erwhelm me I scarcely can speak) I know that I promis'd you hogs two or three (But who knows his destiny? Certain not me!) That I promis'd three hogs I don't mean to deny (I can prove that I had five or six upon sty.) - Three hogs did I say? Three sows I say then Pon' honour I ne'er had a male upon pen. - Well Madam, the long and the short of the clatter For mumbling & mincing will not better the matter; And murder and truth my dear mammy wd say By some means or other forever saw day; And Daddy himself, as we chop'd in the wood Would often observe that lying wan't good. - Tell truth my sweet fellow - no matter who feels it: It ne'er can do hurt to the man who reveals it. - But stop! - While my Dady and Mammy's the subject I am running aside the original object -- - The sows my sweet madam - the sows I repeat Which you and your household expected to eat. Instead of attending their corn and their swill Gave way to an ugly he-sow's wicked will. - When 'twill end your good lady-ship need not be told For Nature is still, as she hath been of old; And when he cries YES, mortals may not cry NO - So Madam farewell, with my holliday bow.