Now, instead of being seen next day at his desk at half past ten,
He doesn’t find himself there till one, p’raps not even then;
And his head aches so, and his hand shakes so, he can scarcely hold his pen;
But, “these little accidents will occur to the steadiest of men!”
Says this fine young English gentleman, one of the present time.
Now, the senior clerk is a horrid old man, as strict as he is sly,
And he calls up this fine young gentleman, and he asks him the reason why;
And this good young man replies to him—for, he “scorns to tell a lie”—
That he sat up all night with a poor sick friend, to the best of his memory!
Like a fine young English gentleman, one of the present time.