II.

Gone! like the flash of a gun! This oddest of chaps, Mercurial, Disappears Head and ears! Then, sly as a fox, Swift as Jack in his box, Pops up boldly again! What does he mean by thus frisking about, Now up and now down, and now in and now out, And all done quicker than winking? What does it mean? Why, 'tis plain--fun! Only Fun! or, perhaps, The pert little rascal's been drinking?-- There's a cider-press yonder all say on the run!

Capture him! no, we won't do it, Or, be sure in due time we would rue it!