[Being the Plaint of Adolphe Culpepper Ferguson, Salesman of Fancy Notions, held in durance of his Landlady for a failure to connect on Saturday night.]

I.

I would that all men my hard case might know;

How grievously I suffer for no sin:

I, Adolphe Culpepper Ferguson, for lo!

I, of my landlady am locked in.

For being short on this sad Saturday,

Nor having shekels of silver wherewith to pay;

She has turned and is departed with my key;

Wherefore, not even as other boarders free,