{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_The_orphan_boy/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_The_orphan_boy","id":"wikisource_The_Reciter_The_orphan_boy","license":"Public Domain / CC-BY-SA (see source)","rights_basis":"wikisource_site_inclusion_policy","source":"wikisource","source_url":"https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Reciter/The_orphan_boy","summary":null,"tags":["Chapbooks","Headers_applying_DefaultSort_key","Pages_with_contributor","Scottish_poetry","Subpages","Tragedy","Works_using_categories_parameter"],"text":"\u2014\u2014\u2014\n\nTHE ORPHAN BOY.\n\nStay, Lady-stay, for mercy's sake,\n\nAnd hear a helpless Orphan's tale;\n\nAh! sure my looks must pity wake,\n\n'Tis want that makes my cheeks so pale.\n\nYet I was once a mother's pride,\n\nAnd my brave father's hope and joy:\n\nBut in the Nile's proud fight he died,\n\nAnd I am now an Orphan Boy!\n\nPoor foolish child---how pleas'd was I\n\nWhen news of Nelson's victory came;\n\nAlong the crouded streets to fly,\n\nTo see the lighted windows flame!\n\nTo force me home my mother sought,\n\nShe could not bear to see my joy\u00a0:\n\nFor with my father's life 'twas bought,\n\nAnd made me a poor Orphan Boy\u00a0!\n\nThe people's shouts were long and loud,\n\nMy mother shudd'ring, clos'd her ears;\n\nRejoice! rejoice! still cry'd the croud,\n\nMy mother answer'd with her tears!\n\nWhy are you crying thus, said I,\n\nWhile others laugh and shout with joy\n\nShe kiss'd me, and with such a sigh,\n\nShe call'd me her poor Orphan Boy!\n\nWhat is an Orphan Boy? I cry'd,\n\nAs in her face I look'd and smil'd,\n\nMy mother through her tears reply'd,\n\n'You'll know to soon, ill-fated child.'\n\nAnd now they've toll'd my mother's knell,\n\nAnd I'm no more a parent's joy:\n\nAh! Lady, I have known too well\n\nWhat 'tis to be an Orphan Boy!\n\nOh! were I by your bounty fed,\n\nNay, gentle lady, do not chide;\n\nTrust me-I mean to earn my bread,\n\nThe Sailor's Orphan Boy has pride\n\nLady! you weep--ah! this to me:\n\nYou'll give me clothing, food, employ;\n\nLook down, dear parents! look and see\n\nYour happy---happy Orphan Boy!","title":"The Reciter/The orphan boy","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":272}