III.

“Well, well, you may come!” said the Ferryman, affably; “Patrick, turn out, and get ready the barge!” Then again to the little folk—“Though you seem laughably Small, I don’t mind, if your coppers be large.” O, dear! what a rushing, what pushing, what crushing (The waterman making vain efforts at hushing The hubbub the while) there followed these words! What clapping of boards! What strapping of cords! What stowing away of children and wives, And platters, and mugs, and spoons, and knives! Till all had safely got into the boat, And the Ferryman clad in his tip-top coat, And his wee little fairies were fairly afloat! Then ding! ding! ding! And kling! kling! kling! How the coppers did ring In the tin pitcherling!