In riddling triplets of old time, and said:

"Peace and good-will! Croaking is all my eye!
A young man will be wiser by-and-by,
An old man's wit should ripen ere he die.

"Patience and pluck! Fretting is fiddle-de-dee.
And youth has yet to learn to act and see,
And youth is well-advised that trusts to Me!

"Hope and good cheer! This youngster's fate who knows?
Sun, rain, and frost will greet him ere life's close;
From the great dark to the great dark he goes."

So MERLIN, riddling, answered them; but thou,
Fear not to face thy fate, O sea-born Child!
Young Ninety-Two! Great Bards of thee may sing
Hereafter; and great sayings from of old
Ranging and ringing thro' the minds of men,
Of Progress, and Improvement, and of Peace,
Of nobler Work, and a more ample Wage,
Of wider culture, and of worthier joys,
Larger attainments, and less coarse desires,
And gentler tastes; these shall be heard of youth.
And echo'd by old folk beside their fires,
For comfort after _their_ wage-work is done--
No workhouse fires, but cosy fires of Home!--
These thee shall greet, PUNCH-MERLIN, in thy time,
Shall voice them also, not in jest, and swear,
Though men may wound Truth, that she will not die,