Page:The Glugs of Gosh (C. J. Dennis, 1917).djvu/134

116 But the Swanks stood around him and answered, with groans, "Your Majesty, Gosh is half buried in stones!"

"How now?" cried the King. "Is there not in my land One Glug who can cope with this dreadful demand: A rich man, a poor man, a beggar man, thief— I reck not his rank so he lessen my grief— A soldier, a sailor, a—" Raising his head, With relief in his eye, "Now, I mind me!" he said.

"I mind me a Tinker, and what once befel. When I think, on the whole, he was treated not well. But he shall be honoured, and he shall be famed If he read me this riddle. But how is he named? Some commonplace title, like—Simon?—No—Sym! Go, send out my riders, and scour Gosh for him."

They rode for a day to the sea in the South, Calling the name of him, hand to the mouth. They rode for a day to the hills in the East, But signs of a tinker saw never the least. Then they rode to the North thro' a whole day long, And paused in the even to hark to a song.