And little donkey-boys your steps environ,

Each proffering for your choice his tiny hack,

Vaunting its excellence; and, should you hire one,

For sixpence, will he urge, with frequent thwack,

The much-enduring beast to Buenos Ayres—and back.

And then, on many a raw and gusty day,

I've stood, and turn'd my gaze upon the pier,

And seen the crews, that did embark so gay

That self-same morn, now disembark so queer;

Then to myself I've sigh'd and said, 'Oh dear!