"Let the——"
"By th' way I take liberty t' call 'tention t' the fact that I begin 'n' end each canto wi' the same words, 'let' 'n' 'Bet.'"
"Let th' world go—round an' round
The day be fine or wet,
Take all that 'neath th' sun is found
An' I'll take lovely Bet."
"Bravo Bob! Bravo! Simple and pointed! Haw!" quoth the Captain, hammering plaudits with his wine-glass again.
"'Tis not—not utterly devoid o' merits!" admitted Sir Benjamin judicially.
"Thank'ee humbly, my Benjamin!"
"Nay, but it hath points, Alvaston, especially towards the finality, though 'tis somewhat reminiscent of Mr. Waller."
"How so, sweet Ben?"
"In its climacteric thus, sir:"
"Give me but what this ribband bound
Take all the rest the sun goes round."