THE POET'S HAT.

The rain had fallen, the Poet arose,

He passed through the doorway into the street,

A strong wind lifted his hat from his head,

And he uttered some words that were far from sweet.

And then he started to follow the chase,

And put on a spurt that was wild and fleet,

It made the people pause in a crowd,

And lay odds as to which would beat.

The street cad scoffed as he hunted the hat,

The errand-boy shouted hooray!

The scavenger stood with his broom in his hand,

And smiled in a very rude way;

And the clergyman thought, 'I have heard many words,

But never, until to-day,

Did I hear any words that were quite so bad

As I heard that young man say.'