Of course the _élite_ Rose at once on their feet, And followed their leader, and beat a retreat: When a sky-larking Imp took the President's seat, And requesting that each would replenish his cup, Said, "Where we have dined, my boys, there let us sup!"-- It was three in the morning before they broke up!!! * * * * * I scarcely need say Sir Guy didn't delay To fulfill his vow made to St. Cuthbert, or pay For the candles he'd promised, or make light as day The shrine he assured him he'd render so gay. In fact, when the votaries came there to pray, All said there was naught to compare with it--nay, For fear that the Abbey Might think he was shabby, Four Brethren, thenceforward, two cleric, two lay, He ordained should take charge of a new-founded chantry, With six marcs apiece, and some claims on the pantry; In short, the whole county Declared, through his bounty, The Abbey of Bolton exhibited fresh scenes From any displayed since Sir William de Meschines And Cecily Roumeli came to this nation With William the Norman, and laid its foundation. For the rest, it is said, And I know I have read In some Chronicle--whose, has gone out of my head-- That what with these candles, and other expenses, Which no man would go to if quite in his senses, He reduced and brought low His property so, That at last he'd not much of it left to bestow; And that many years after that terrible feast, Sir Guy, in the Abbey, was living a priest; And there, in one thousand and---something--deceased. (It's supposed by this trick He bamboozled Old Nick, And slipped through his fingers remarkably "slick.") While as to young Curly-wig,--dear little Soul, Would you know more of him, you must look at "The Roll," Which records the dispute, And the subsequent suit, Commenced in "Thirteen sev'nty-five,"--which took root In Le Grosvenor's assuming the arms Le Scroope swore That none but _his_ ancestors, ever before, In foray, joust, battle, or tournament wore, To wit, "_On a Prussian-blue Field_, a _Bend Or_;" While the Grosvenor averred that _his_ ancestors bore The same, and Scroope lied like a--somebody tore Off the simile,--so I can tell you no more, Till some A double S shall the fragment restore. MORAL This Legend sound maxims exemplifies--_e.g._