And twelve relays, I’ll drive throughout the land—
From ‘John O’Groat’s’ down to the Cornish coast,—”
(Now this, of course, was rather a bit of boast)
“Tell me,” he said, “can steam come up to this?”
To answer strongly would have been amiss;
So those who knew the circle of his brain
Permitted him his fancy to retain—
Expounding his ideas with much force,
Whilst Arnold whistled[190] to the leading horse
And in due time came up to his lodge-gate,—