The Auctioneer Poem by William Hutton

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.'