The Anglican Friar, and the Fish which he Took by Hook and by Crook / A Comic Legend

by active 19th century Novice

To borrow a saucepan—as fluids retire

Through theirs, and will fret, and oft put out the fire.

But the pan was in use,

So the dame's tongue ran loose

While she stayed to chat there, for best part of an hour,

Of the state of affairs,

Of the price of the shares,

Or the politics secret of some foreign power.

But now quick as steam they are boiling away,

Resolved to o'ertake—if not run down—delay;