The serviceable beast who heard, believed

And meekly bowed him to the burden,—borne

Off in a canter to seclusion—ay,

The lady 's lost! But had a friend of mine

—While friend he was—imparted his sad case

To sympathizing counsellor, full soon

One cloud at least had vanished from his brow.

'Don't fear!' had followed reassuringly—

The lost will in due time turn up again,

Probably just when, weary of the world,