Clarel/Part 2/Canto 2

2. The Skull Cap
"See him in his uncheerful head-piece! Libertad's on the Mexic coin Would better suit me for a shade-piece: Ah, had I known he was to join!"-- So chid the Greek, the banker one Perceiving Mortmain there at hand, And in allusion to a dun Skull-cap he wore. Derwent light reined The steed; and thus: "Beg pardon now, It looks a little queer, concede; Nor less the cap fits well-shaped brow; It yet may prove the wishing-cap Of Fortunatus." "No indeed, No, no, for that had velvet nap Of violet with silver tassel-- Much like my smoking-cap, you see, Light laughed the Smyrniote, that vassal Of health and young vivacity. "Glaucon, be still," the senior said (And yet he liked to hear him too); "I say it doth but ill bestead To have a black cap in our crew." "Pink, pink," cried Glaucon, "pink's the hue:--

"Pink cap and ribbons of the pearl,       A Paradise of bodice,   The Queen of Sheba's laundry girl--

"Hallo, what now? They come to halt Down here in glen! Well, well, we'll vault." His song arrested, so he spake And light dismounted, wide awake.--

"A sprightly comrade have you here," Said Derwent in the senior's ear. The banker turned him: "Folly, folly-- But good against the melancholy."