ONE day a shameless and impudent wight Went into a shop full of steel wares bright, Arranged with art upon ev'ry shelf.
He fancied they were all meant for himself;And so, while the patient owner stood by, The shining goods needs must handle and try, And valued,--for how should a fool better know?--The bad things high, and the good ones low, And all with an easy self-satisfied face;Then, having bought nothing, he left the place.
The tradesman now felt sorely vex'd, So when the fellow went there next, A lock of steel made quite red hot.
The other cried upon the spot:
"Such wares as these, who'd ever buy?
the steel is tarnish'd shamefully,"--
Then pull'd it, like a fool about, But soon set up a piteous shout.
"Pray what's the matter?" the shopman spoke;The other scream'd: "Faith, a very cool joke!"1815.*
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