And say, “Sir, I desire

You go forthwith and search the Hall,

And send to me the crier.”

“And search, my Lord, in vain, I may”—

The tipstaff gravely said—

“The Crier cannot cry to-day,

Because his wife is dead.”

THE PARSON AND BUTCHER.

A parson and a butcher chanced, they say,

To meet and moralize one Sabbath day.