More valued by me than a chat with Acerbi,

Of whose travels—related in elegant phrases—

I have seen many extracts, and heard many praises,

And have copied (you know I let nothing escape)

His striking account of the frozen North Cape.

I think ’twas in his works I read long ago

(I’ve not the best memory for dates, as you know,)

Of a warehouse, where sugar and treacle were stored,

Which took fire (I suppose being made but of board)

In the icy domains of some rough northern hero,