"The morn was fine as morn could be Upon last Thursday week, And, like the early morn, H. F. Was up before the beak. "(Full little dreamed that worthy cit, Some dozen mornings hence He would be 'up before the beak' In quite another sense.) "Upon two tits of pranksome mood, The gallant Lika Joko And Likajokalina rode, 'Desipere in loco.' "'Cantare pares' rode the pair, Ad equitatum nati,' But to a bobby's summons not 'Respondere parati.' "So 'appy rode the blithesome pair, They scoured the hill and plain, And warming with their morning's work, Rode hotly home again. "But by the slope of Primrose Hill The rude Inspector Ross Beheld H. Furniss canter up Upon his foaming hoss. "'Look 'ere, young man,' says he to him, 'There are some children dear That by the ridin' of you folk Do go in bod'ly fear. "'Your hasting steed pull up, I say! S'welp me, draw your rein! The innocents abroad, young man, Are frightened by you twain. "'Look at yer smokin' job 'oss 'ere-- I seen you job 'is flank! 'E's well nigh done--tyke 'im away, And back upon the rank.' "H. Furniss fixed him with his eye; His brow was awful cross; He Kyrled his lip contemptuous-like At this rude man of Ross. "'The spirit of my gallant cob, Ruffian, you shall not squelch; I ride nor Scotch nor Irish hot, But Furniss-heated Welsh. "'Mine and my daughter's gentle pace Could not affright a foundling; Be off, and peep down areas, or Move on some harmless groundling!' "The Inspector glared: 'Come, Mr. F., We can't stand this no longer; I summons you to Marylebone'-- (He muttered something stronger). * * * * * "Good Mr. Plowden heard the charge, As two policemen swore it; Then heard H. Furniss' defence, And sagely pondered o'er it. "'The Inspector swears you galloped up; You swear you merely trotted: My own opinion in this case Is, as usual, Gordian-knotted. "'Now Gordian knots were tied to be By magistrates divided; We cut them--and the severed ends Do much as once the tied did. "'In this case, add the paces up, And then divide by two: A canter is the quotient; I think that that should do. "'A sound decision that will please Both parties this I trust is; It is a fine distinction, but Avoids the fires of justice. "'You, Mr. Furniss, must disburse Two bob costs to my till, And promise me to try no more Primrose babes to kill.