I err,—but pardon me, I am a fool,

Like some few others that I used to know;

The truth is, I was taught to be at school,

So Precept and Example tend to show.

But never mind, I deem it quite below

The faintest notice of a rusty pen;

'Twill tell my readers what respect I owe,

How very much I thought of people then,

Who should have been exhibited in a cattle-pen.

LI.

I wish them well, of course, but must proceed.

The cook was really to be left behind,

Which doubtless she thought very nice indeed.

She was a cook so jolly, yet refined,

Wore bright kid gloves (the colour undefined),

And finery of every sort and hue

(I couldn't tell you if I had a mind),

Like wealthy folks, as servants always do;

And terrible mistakes sometimes embarrass you.

LII.

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