Being sheltered from the weather, spite of all
The want (as has been said before) of brim.
A change came o’er the colour of my hat.
That which was black grew brown—and then men stared
With both their eyes (they stared with one before)
The wonder now was twofold; and it seemed
Strange that a thing so torn and old should still
Be worn by one who might——but let that pass!
I had my reasons, which might be revealed
But for some counter-reasons, far more strong,