Beside, I seek three and may chance on six,—

This neighbor, t' other gossip,—the babe's birth

Brings such to fireside, and folks give them wine,—

'T is late: but when I break in presently

One will be found outlingering the rest

For promise of a posset,—one whose shout

Would raise the dead down in the catacombs,

Much more the city-watch that goes its round.

When did I ever turn adroitly up

To sun some brick embedded in the soil,