Idlers to wit-no Guardians some, Of Tattlers in a squeeze; Ramblers in heavy carts and vans, Spectators up in trees. Butchers on backs of butchers' hacks, That shambled to and fro ! Bakers intent upon a buck, Change Alley Bears to speculate, And green and scarlet runners, such 'Twas strange to think what difference Now Huggins from his saddle rose, And lo! a little cart that came In shape like half a hearse-though not For corpses in the least; For this contained the deer alive, And not the dear deceased! And now began a sudden stir, And then a sudden shout, The prison doors were opened wide, His antlered head shone blue and red, Like other bucks that comes to 'list One curious gaze of mild amaze, Now Huggins, standing far aloof, Till all at once he saw the beast Away he went, and many a score On horse and ass-like High and Low Good Lord! to see the riders now, A score were sprawling on the grass, Beside the Queen of Flowers! Some lost their stirrups, some their whips, Some had no caps to show : But few, like Charles at Charing Cross, Rode on in Statue quo. |