THE STRANGER'S STORY 



Jem, Jerry, Ned, swashbucklers, 



You'd have thought by their discourse. 



Each alternately extolling 



First himself and then his horse. 



Giant Jem, a road-abider. 



One who seldom risk'd a tall, 



The line the fox had taken 

 He describ'd it best of all. 



Told them where he cross'd the river, 

 Told them where he fac'd the hill. 



Told them too, and thought it true. 

 That he himself had seen the kill. 



Jerry's tongue still faster prattled 

 As the wine-cup wet his lips ; 



Had the pack apace thus rattled, 

 'Twould have baffled an Eclipse. 



Nought I felt would baffle Jerry, 

 From the find until the death. 



No rate of speed would e'er succeed 

 To put him out of breath. 



Ned was far in commendation 

 Of himself ahead of each. 



Still there lurk'd amari aliquid 

 Beneath his flowers of speech. 



171 



