Just at the closing of the bellman’s rhyme.

BY DEAN SWIFT.

As Thomas was cudgelled one day by his wife,

He took to his heels and ran for his life:

Tom’s three dearest friends came by in the squabble,

And skreened him at once from the shrew and the rabble;

Then ventured to give him some wholesome advice:

But Tom is a fellow of humour so nice,

Too proud to take counsel, too wise to take warning,

He sent to all three a challenge next morning: