The body snatchers / James Moores Ball.

Ball, James Moores, 1863-1929.

Date:: 1989

Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The body snatchers / James Moores Ball. Source: Wellcome Collection.

279/360 (page 159)

ELEGIAC LINES OK THE Murder or POOR DAFT JAMIE. Attendance give, whilst I relate How poor Daft Jamie met his fate ; Twill make your hair 9tand on your head, Aa I unfold the horrid deed :— That hellish monster, William Burke, Like Reynard sneaking on the lurk, Coyduck d his prey into his den, And then the woeful work began u Coroe, Jamie, drink a glass wi’ roe, And I ll gang wi’ ye in a wee, To seek yer mither i’ the town— Come drink, man, drink, an’ sit ye down. “ Nae, I II no’ drink wi' ye the nou, For if I div 'twill mnk’ me fou “ Tush, roan, a wee will do ye guid, Twill cheer yer heart, an warm yer bluid.” At last he took the fatal glass, Not dreaming what would come to pass ; hen once he drank, he wanted more— Till drunk he fell upon the floor. 11 Now, said th’ assassin, “ now we may Heue on him as our lawful prey.’’ “ Wait, wait,” said Hare, “ ye stupid ass, He’s yet too strong—let’s tak’ a glass.” Like some unguarded gem he lies— The vulture waits to seize its prize ; Nor does he dream he’s in its power, 1 ill it has seized him to devour. The ruSiAn dogK,—the hellish pair,— The villain Burke,—the meagre Hare,— Impatient were the prize to win, So to their smothering pranks begin — Burke cast himself on Jamie e face, And clasp'd him in his foul embrace ; But Jamie waking in surprise, Writhed in an agony to nse. At last, with nerves unstrung before, He threw the villain on the floor ; And though alarm’d, and weaken’d too, He would have soon o’ercome the foe : But help was near—for it Burke cried. And soon his friend was at his side; Hare tripp'd up Jamie’s heels, and o'er He fell, alas ! to rise no more !. Now both these blood-hounds him engage, As hungry tygers fill'd with rage, Nor did they handle axe or knife, To take away Daft Jamie s life. No sooner done, than in a chest They eramm'd this lately welcom'd guest, And bore him into Surgeons'- Square— A subject Iresh—a victim rare ! And soon he's on the table laid, Expos’d to the dissecting blade; But where his members now may lay Is not for mo—or you—to say. But this I'll say—some thoughts did rise It fill d the Students with surprise. That so short time should intervene Since Jamie on the streets was seen: But though his hody ls destroy'd, His soul can never be decoy’d From that celestial 9tale of rest, Where be, I trust, is with the bless'd. Written by J. P. N. B.—Thero will be published on Monday first, by the same Editor, a Laconic Nar¬ rative of the Lipe and Death of Poor Jamie; to which will be added, a few Anec¬ dote* relative to him, and his old friend Boby Awl—Price Thrip Pence. The work will be embellished with n striking Portrait of Jamie. Publithed by IVILL IE SMITH, No. 3, Briito Port, PRICE ONE PENNY. “Elegiac Lines on the Tragical Murder of Poor Daft Jamie.” (Edinburgh, n.d., but issued early in 1829.)