I asked my fellows, how came this about?

"Why, Jack, the sutler's child, perhaps the camp's,

Went to the wars, fought sturdily, took a town

And got rewarded as was natural.

She of the coach and six—excuse me there!

Why, don't you know the story of her friend?

A clown dressed vines on somebody's estate,

His boy recoiled from muck, liked Latin more,

Stuck to his pen and got to be a priest,

Till one day ... don't you mind that telling tract