Page:Early poems of William Morris.djvu/84



Has Peter now? has Jacques got bow legs?

Why, sir, you jest—what matters Jacques' hair, Or Peter's legs to us?

Throw all your mason's tools down the deep well, Hang Peter up and Jacques; they're no good, We shall not build, man.

(going)

To hang them, sir? and yet, sir, for the tools, We'd better keep them still; sir, fare you well.

What have I done that he should jape at me? And why not build? the walls are weak enough, And we've two masons and a heap of tools.

To think a man should have a lump like that For his lieutenant! I must call him back, Or else, as surely as St. George is dead, He'll hang our friends the masons—here, John! John!

At your good service, sir.