He pointeth to the lecture-room, “’Tis nine o’clock,” quoth he. “Upon my word I cannot come, For Jones expecteth me.” He pointeth to the Master’s lodge, The unbreakfasted turned blue; He had been hauled up twice before, So he saw it was a do. He followed to the lecture-room, And often sighed “Oh dear!” While thus spake on that lantern-jaw’d, And long-legged lecturer. He talked of siphons, pumps, and valves, And engines piping hot; But what he said I cannot tell, For I understand it not. Now when the clock struck half-past nine, There was a shouting noise; The unbreakfasted here beat his breast, For he knew ’twas Jones’s voice. The cyder-cup he knows hath come, And he too well can feel, That the gyp is walking off with all The remnants of the meal. The unbreakfasted he scratched his head―― How wretched ’twas to hear; And still spake on that lantern-jaw’d, And long-legged lecturer. * * * * * The lecturer whose legs are long, Whose cheeks are very lean, Is gone; and now the unbreakfasted At Jones’s door is seen. But he turned away like one who’s starved, For it was “on the sport;” A sadder and a hungrier man, He rushed across the court. _The Man in the Moon._ Volume II. 1847. ―――― THE RHIME OF THE SEEDY BARRISTERE, PART I. It is a seedy Barristere, And he barreth the way so free―― “By thy long limp band and rusty wig, Now wherefore stopp’st thou me? “The Commons’ doors are open’d wide, And I’m to be sworn in; The Speaker is set, the Members met, And business will soon begin.” He showeth me his empty bag―― “It once was full,” quoth he: He showeth me his faggot brief, Marked with a monstrous fee. I sat me down beside the door―― I could not choose but hear, As thus spake on that mouldy man, That briefless Barristere:―― “The kites were flown, the bubbles blown, Merrily went the scrip; Directors schemed, nor ever dreamed Of chances ’twixt cup and lip. “The Stag comes out――over the left; The market riggeth he: The men with cash, by dealings rash, Are fleeced right horribly. “Higher and higher every day Went up the bubble shares――” No step I stirred, altho’ I heard The Speaker was at prayers. He’d made me wait――I was too late; Yet I could not choose but hear, As thus spake on that shabby man, That briefless Barristere―― And now November came, the Law Was tyrannous and strong; The thirtieth day all Plans must stay, And Sections, right or wrong. “Thro’ day and dark the sleepy clerk Must toil and moil with care and cark; Lithographers, with fingers stark, Must never go to bed. The time flies fast, the Plans at last Are all delivered.