XXVII.

With indignation he began to foam,

"I hate," he cried, this round-about delay, Your master measured.-Bring the things soon home,

I cannot tarry trifling here all day."

"No, Sir, you can't, Sir,-that is very true.

6

Bring the things home!' I come to bring home you."

XXVIII.

Here the Collegian's shoulder felt a slap;
The shoulder is a very tender part,
This Tom can testify, for one slight tap,

Went, he declared, directly to his heart.
And now suspecting hope of rescue vain,
He thus began in lamentable strain:

66

XXIX.

O day and night! but this is wondrous hard,
Since liberty is life, must life's brief span
Be thus made shorter by a stitcher's yard,

And shall a Tailor triumph over man?

I somehow from these trammels must break loose,
Or evermore be called a Tailor's Goose."

XXX.

Utter'd aside was this, but, be it known,
Not as asides are utter'd at the play,
That is, not bellowed in a louder tone

Than all the rest the actor has to say;

No; in his mouth or throat 'twas gently mumbled : To speak more plainly,-in his gizzard grumbled.

XXXI.

"Well, well," he cried, " 'tis not a civil thing. But I, of course, along with you must go, Incarcerated, lose the charms of spring,

And all the rural joys of Pimlico.

But, Mr. Snavel, in the face of day,

You need not take me by the public way.

XXXII.

"A neat snug garden, this convenient house Boasts close behind, which opens to a field; Take me that way, and quiet as a mouse

Your captive most submissively will yield. You are a gentleman, I plainly see;

Be seated-you must take some wine with me.

XXXIII.

"And there's a guinea." Snavel touched and cried,

"I'm sorry, Sir, you must in Limbo dwell." Here, in his turn he had a speech aside.

"I'm glad to catch a calf that bleeds so well." Aloud, then-" Sorry, Sir, you want the blunt; Am not particular about the front."

XXXIV.

"We'll go the back way then. Now, when you please

66

I'm ready. Come Sir, shall I lead the way?"

No, Sir, you'll be with me much more at ease,

As you have no design to run away.

"Just as may most agreeable prove to you, The path is hardly wide enough for two.

XXXV.

"But mind that water-'tis an awkward hole,

Too wide for you, while holding me, to leap; "

I'll have it shortly fill'd, upon my soul.

On that dry hay, Sir, you had better step.??

The Bailiff did so, was about to thank,
When suddenly a trap embraced his shank.

XXXVI.

Most musically he began to roar.

A Bailiff may possess a pretty voice; Perhaps this never was remark'd before,

So very few attend to it from choice.

But Debtors love to hear it on the stretch
From pain, as Robbers sigh to hang Jack Ketch.

XXXVII.

"On with your solo," the Collegian cried : "I thought a Bailiff trap had understood; Your patience here may be a little tried,

But evil, Christians should requite with good.

So, as you cannot carry me to jail,

I'll give you bail, friend Snavel-but-leg-bail.

XXXVIII.

"Nor shall your prisoner's charity end here; There's no one now at home to bring relief; You may be in this situation queer,

Mistaken-I mean taken-for a thief:

But brought to trial though a varlet callous,
I certainly will save you from the gallows.

XXXIX.

"That is, provided always-mind-this clause, (Excuse a little legal repetition

From one not very learned in the laws);

I promise, but on this express condition,' Your neck's extension to delay a while,

If I myself am not in durance vile.'

XL.

"But should it happen, and perhaps it may, Another Bailiff to some dreary hole

Drag me, in kind Sylvester's tone, I say

But this- The Lord have mercy on your soul;'

Your brother officer, if I'm in prison,

Will have but little mercy on your wizen.

XLI.

"Let not the halter thy bold heart appal, Although a little troublesome no doubt; Yet hanging's not so dreadful, after all,

That it can justify the idle rout

Some recreant felons make, while they advance

To treat the public with their final dance.