(For who can brave a sudden death?)--
A moment's fearful pause ensued,
Then he,--the object of my dread,--
Address'd me thus in accents rude;
I listened, less alive than dead.
“I've said it once, I've said it twice,
I've raised my voice, and said it thrice:
My time is short,--I've much to do;--
I've lately lost my brother;--
I cannot wait all night on you,
For I must cast another.
To make your boot fit well, a tree
You've ordered, as I'm told;
And, once again, I say, in me,
The _last_-man you behold.”
[Illustration: 447]
End of Project Gutenberg's Three Courses and a Dessert, by Anonymous