(For the Mirror.)

A sanctified hermit was heard to complain

That raiment and food he no longer could gain.

"For," quoth he "in this village the famine's so great

That there's not enough left e'en a mousetrap to bait."

A neighbour who happened to bear his sad plaint

Addressed in the following manner the saint:

"The nation will keep thee to support splendour's throne,

And interest will pay thee, because thou'rt alone."—(a loan.)

W.G.