Cries Sixtus interposing: "Nay, children, have no care!
"Fear nothing! Who employs me requires the plain truth. Pelf
Beguiles who should inform me: so, I inform myself.
See!" And he drew his hood back, let the close vesture ope,
Showed face, and where on tippet the cross lay: 't was the Pope.
Imagine the joyful wonder! "How shall the like of us—
Poor souls—requite such blessing of our rude bean-feast?" "Thus—
Thus amply!" laughed Pope Sixtus. "I early rise, sleep late:
Who works may eat: they tempt me, your beans there: spare a plate!"
Down sat he on the door-step: 't was they this time said grace: