"Oft in the Melodrama line his prowess hath been shown,
And well throughout the Surrey side his thirst for blood is known.
But see, the other champion comes!"—Then rang the startled air
With shouts of "Wordsworth, Wordsworth, ho! the bard of Rydal's there."
And lo! upon a little steed, unmeet for such a course,
Appeared the honored veteran; but weak seemed man and horse.
Then shook their ears the sapient peers,—"That joust will soon be done:
My Lord of Brougham, I'll back Fitzball, and give you two to one!"
"Done," quoth the Brougham,—"And done with you!" "Now minstrels, are you ready?"
Exclaimed the Lord of Waterford,—"You'd better both sit steady.