“Sir, let me see your works and you no more!”

Alexander Pope.

THE THREE BLACK CROWS

Two honest tradesmen meeting in the Strand,

One took the other briskly by the hand;

“Hark-ye,” said he, “’tis an odd story, this,

About the crows!” “I don’t know what it is,”

Replied his friend. “No! I’m surprised at that;

Where I came from it is the common chat;

But you shall hear—an odd affair indeed!