And wrote it fully to our Lord the King

Who has an itch to know things, he knows why,

And reads them in his bedroom of a night.

Oh, you might smile! there wanted not a touch,

A tang of ... well, it was not wholly ease

As back into your mind the man's look came.

Stricken in years a little,—such a brow

His eyes had to live under!—clear as flint

On either side the formidable nose

Curved, cut and colored like an eagle's claw.