Now birds by poison slain,

As venom’d dart from Indian’s hollow cane,

Are edible; and Mrs. W.’s thrift,—

She had a thrifty vein,—

Destined one pair for supper to make shift,—

Supper as usual at the hour of ten:

But ten o’clock arrived and quickly pass’d,

Eleven—twelve—and one o’clock at last,

Without a sign of supper even then!

At length, the speed of cookery to quicken,