A CIVIL CABMAN'S SAUCE.
A Cabman was summoned before the Lord Mayor—
The report in the Times may be found—
For refusing to take in his carriage a fare,
Which to do he was legally bound.
The cab of defendant, complainant averred,
That he saw, disengaged, on the stand;
And to hire it proposed, but defendant demurred,
And declined to accord the demand.
But only to think, now, how gentle, how mild,
How pleasant a Cabman can be!
As he made the objection, he quietly smiled,
And observed that he wanted his Tea.
In the same airy strain and light jocular mood,
Which we cannot too highly admire,
Did the gentleman not, he politely pursued,
That refreshment himself, too, require?
But how shall we ever the sequel relate?
This behaviour, so worthy of praise,
Procured—it is really distressing to state—
Twenty Shillings—or else Fourteen Days!