I stood in the passage?
Something of a Father:
The word is ringing in my ears now--

[Footnote 38:
Twice afterwards Lamb returned to this episode--in "The Witch
Aunt" in story _Mrs. Leicester's School_ (see Vol. III.), and in "Witches
and other Night Fears," in _Elia_ (see Vol. II. 9).]

_Francis_. I remember, one of the servants, Sir, would pass a few
days with his father at Leicester. The poor old man lies on his deathbed,
and has exprest a desire to see his son before he dies. But none
cared to break the matter to you.

_John_. Send the man here. [_Francis goes out_.]
My very servants shun my company.
I held my purse to a beggar yesterday
Who lay and bask'd his sores in the hot sun,
And the gaunt pauper did refuse my alms.

_Francis returns with Robert_.

_John_. Come hither, Robert. What is the poor man ailing?

_Robert_. Please your honour, I fear he has partly perish'd for want of
physic. His means are small, and he kept his illness a secret to me not
to put me to expenses.

_John_. Good son, he weeps for his father.
Go take the swiftest horse in my stables,
Take Lightfoot or Eclipse--no, Eclipse is lame,
Take Lightfoot then, or Princess[39],
Ride hard all night to Leicester.
And give him money, money, Francis--
The old man must have medicines, cordials,
And broth to keep him warm, and careful nurses.
He must not die for lack of tendance, Robert.

[Footnote 39: Lamb puts his pen through these two lines, and writes across
them "miserable bad."]

_Robert_. God bless your honour for your kindness to my poor father.

_John_. Pray, now make haste. You may chance to come in time.

[_Robert goes out_.]

_John_. Go get some firewood, Francis,
And get my supper ready. [_Francis goes out_.]
The night is bitter cold.
They in their graves feel nothing of the cold,
Or if they do, how dull a cold--
All clayey, clayey. Ah God! who waits below?
Come up, come quick. I saw a fearful sight.

_Francis returns in haste with wood_.

_John_. There are such things as spirits, deny it who may.
Is it you, Francis? Heap the wood on thick,
We two shall sup together, sup all night,
Carouse, drink drunk, and tell the merriest tales--
Tell for a wager, who tells merriest--
But I am very weak. O tears, tears, tears,