Page:The Ingoldsby Legends (Frowde, 1905).pdf/100

 And they say he is going to Exeter Hall

To make a grand speech,

And to preach, and to teach

People that 'they can't brew their malt liquor too small;'

That an ancient Welsh Poet, one ,

Was right in proclaiming '

Which means 'The pure Element

Is for Man's belly meant!'

And that Gin's but a Snare of Old Nick the deluder!

And 'still on each evening when pleasure fills up,'

At the old Goat-in-Boots, with Metheglin, each cup,

Mr. Pryce, if he's there,

Will get into 'The Chair,'

And make all his quondam associates stare

By calling aloud to the Landlady's daughter,

'Patty, bring a cigar, and a glass of Spring Water!'

The dial he constantly watches; and when

The long hand's at the 'XII,' and the short at the 'X,'

He gets on his legs,

Drains his glass to the dregs,

Takes his hat and great-coat off their several pegs,

With his President's hammer bestows his last knock,

And says solemnly—'Gentlemen!

The succeeding Legend has long been an established favourite with all of us, as containing much of the personal history of one of the greatest ornaments of the family tree.

To the wedding between the sole heiress of this redoubted hero and a direct ancestor is it owing that the Lioncels of Shurland hang so lovingly parallel with the Saltire of the Ingoldsbys, and now form as cherished a quartering in their escutcheon as the 'dozen white lowses' in the 'old coat' of Shallow.

E won't—won't he? Then bring me my boots!' said the Baron.

Consternation was at its height in the castle of Shurland—a caitiff had dared to disobey the Baron! and—the Baron had called for his boots!

A thunderbolt in the great hall had been a bagatelle to it.

A few days before, a notable miracle had been wrought in the neighbourhood; and in those times miracles were not so common as they are now; no royal balloons, no steam, no railroads,—while the few Saints who took the trouble to walk