What have we next? A civil Dun: "John Brown would take it as a favour"— Another, and a surlier one, "I can't put up with sich behaviour."
"Bill so long standing,"—"quite tired out,"— "Must sit down to insist on payment," "Called ten times,"—Here's a fuss about A few coats, waistcoats, and small raiment!
For once I'll send an answer, and inform Mr. Snip he needn't "call" so; But when his bill's as "tired of standing" As he is, beg 'twill "sit down also."
This from my rich old Uncle Ned, Thanking me for my annual present; And saying he last Tuesday wed His cook-maid, Molly—vastly pleasant!
An ill-spelt note from Tom at school, Begging I'll let him learn the fiddle; Another from that precious fool, Miss Pyefinch, with a stupid riddle.
"D'ye give it up?" indeed I do! Confound these antiquated minxes; I won't play "Billy Black" to a "Blue," Or Œdipus to such old sphinxes.
A note sent up from Kent to show me, Left with my bailiff, Peter King: "I'll burn them precious stacks down, blow me! "Your's most sincerely, "Captain Swing."
Four begging letters with petitions, One from my sister Jane, to pray I'll "execute a few commissions" In Bond Street, "when I go that way;"
"And buy at Pearsal's in the City Twelve skeins of silk for netting purses: Colour no matter, so it's pretty;— Two hundred pens—" two hundred curses!
From Mistress Jones: "My little Billy Goes up his schooling to begin, Will you just step to Piccadilly, And meet him when the coach comes in?