S.S.

* * * * *



ONCE ANCIENT.--A FACT.

(_For the Mirror_.)


A Norwich mayor, who an uncommon thing
(Because 'twas generous) had done, was sent
With a petition to his gracious King,[9]
And reach'd St. James's wondrously content.
His Majesty found him quite eloquent,
Fond of a dinner, fonder of a joke
But, needing matter
For converse with his stranger worship, spoke
Of Norfolk hospitality, and geese;
Of turkeys, game, and fowls, that take a lease
Yearly to smoke on many a cockney platter,
Forgetting not, to please the honest _gent:_
Mention of gravy, sausage, dumpling, batter;
Till, the good man, quite in his element
'Gan prating glibly of the Norwich folk
And what fine things were doing in their city,
"An ancient place it is, sir!" said the prince,
"As its old churches, castle, gates, evince!"
"Gates!" please your highness, "there my heart is broke,