William Hutton - The Auctioneer

A period pass'd over I'll bring back to view,
When the sons of the hammer were wont to tell true;
When the buyer saw timber, and land, brick, and stone,
Not with Auctioneer's eyes--but he saw with his own.

Now assembled all ranks, from the knight to the clown,
To see an estate of great value knock'd down;
All attentive, while round the great table are seated,
Are able to pay--but submit to be treated.

'But five thousand pounds! Gem'en, what are you doing?
Five thousand one hundred--a going! a going!
The lands are most fertile; the buildings are good;
The premises grac'd with a fine hanging wood.'

'Whereabout, Sir, this beautiful wood can I see?
I've examin'd the whole, but can scarce find a tree.'
'What! been over the premises, yet not descry'd it;
If you'd had half an eye, Sir, you must have espy'd it.

Pass close to the orchard, and over the fallows,
Then turn to the left, and you'll come to the gallows.'

William Hutton

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