And could whene’er he had a mind strike every one with fear—
Like a fine old English constable, one of the olden time.
His office was to keep the peace and order of the town,
To take the roaming spirits up, and knock the rising down.
They wanted then no new police, with hats glazed round the crown,
To strut about, for he did all, in rare old rusty gown—
Like a grand old English constable, one of the olden time.
He often had to ring a bell, that every one might hear,
When goods were stolen, strayed, or lost, in accents loud and clear.
So maidens when their reticules were miss’d, did never cry,