4
That sordid janitor, old Ben,
Rousing and growling in his den;
"Who's there? I suppose young harum searum.
"'Tis I, my worthy Ben-'tis Harry."
"Ay, I thought so, and there you'll tarry:
'Tis past the hour, I've closed the gate,
You know my orders; you're too late;
I shall lose my place if I undo the door."
"And I," young hopeful interposed,
"Shall be expelled, if you refuse."
Ben began to snore.
"I'm wet," cries Harry, "to the skin,
Hip! holloa, Ben! don't be a ninny,
Beneath the gate I've thrust a guinea,
So tumble out and let me in."
"Humph," growled the greedy old curmudgeon,
Half overjoyed, and half in dudgeon,
"There now, you may pass,
But make no fuss,
On tiptoe walk, and hold your prate."
"Look on the stones, old surly,"
Cries Harry, as he passed the gate;
"I've dropp'd a shilling; take the light,
You'll find it just outside-good night.'
Behold the Porter, in his shirt,
Chiding the rain which never stopt,
Roping and groping in the dirt,
And all without success;
But that need hardly to be wondered at
Because no shilling had been dropt.
So, tired, he gave o'er the search
Regain'd the door, and found it fast:
With sundry growls and groans he rang--
Once, twice, thrice;
When, mingled with giggling, heard the tones of Him
Mimicking old Ben:-
"Whose there?
It is really a disgrace to ring so loud;
It's past the hour; I've elosed the gate;
You know my orders-you're too late;
You would not have me lose my place?"
"Pshaw, Mr. Dorrington, remember
This is the middle of November;
I'm strippd—'tis raining cats and dogs."
“Hush! hush!" quoth Hai, “I'm fast asleep,"
And then he snored as loud and deep
