What’s this? ‘The life of Turpin Bold!’ or ‘Death of Robin Hood’?”
“It’s Hessays on the Crumpet, sir, as a harticle of food!”
He started from that boy as tho’ in’s ear he’d blown a trumpet,
His hand he pressed upon his chest, then with his fist did thump it,
And down he sat beside the brat and talked about the crumpet.
“How now and then that muffin men of whom tradition tells,
Fortunes had made by pastry trade, and come out awful swells,
While their old patrons suffered worse than Irving in ‘The Bells!’
And well, I know,” said he, “forsooth, for plenty have I bought,
The sufferings of foolish folk who eat more than they ought.