Classic Poem

THE SKULL-CAP

" See him in his uncheerful head-piece!
Libertad's on the Mexic coin
Would better suit me for a shade-piece:
Ah, had I known he was to join!" —
So chid the Greek, the banker one,
Perceiving Mortmain there at hand,
And in allusion to a dun
Skull-cap he wore. Derwent light reined
The steed; and thus: " Beg pardon, now,
It looks a little queer, concede;
Nor less the cap fits well-shaped brow;
It yet may prove the wishing cap
Of Fortunatus"
" No, indeed,
No, no, for that had velvet nap
Of violet with silver tassel —
Much like my smoking-cap, you see,"
Light laughed the Smyrniote, that vassal
Of health and young vivacity.
" Glaucon, be still," the senior said
(And yet he liked to hear him too);
" I say it doth but ill bestead
To have a black cap in our crew."
" Pink, pink," cried Glaucon, " pink 's the hue: —

" Pink cap and ribbons of the pearl,
A Paradise of bodice,
The Queen of Sheba's laundry girl —

" Hallo, what now? They come to halt
Down here in glen! Well, well, we 'll vault."
His song arrested, so he spake
And light dismounted, wide awake. —

" A sprightly comrade have you here,
Said Derwent in the senior's ear
The banker turned him: " Folly, folly —
But good against the melancholy."