The Captain not a friend could see

The Captain not a friend could see To help him in this need, So in the depths of misery, And dreadf’lly hungerèd, He wander’d to and fro by day, By night he did the same, And every now and then would pray, Until the letter came.— Then Captain went to “Saint-le-Grand,” And found the “order” right, And soon five sovereigns in his hand,— A welcome, welcome sight: Thought on his watch immediately, Intent, turn’d round to go Back to the inn; but suddenly Stopp’d short, and sighed; for, lo! He’d never thought (poor simple man) Of taking its address. * * * So here was Captain Joe again Once more in great distress; In such distress of mind was he, He turn’d his eyes to earth, And cried, “My watch!” and instantly He curs’d his very birth.

Now recollecting Edgware Road, Joe thought if he went there He might find out that grand abode— Where all seem’d “straight and fair.” Direct he goes; and if in one Almost in every inn Steps Joe, but could not find the John Who look’d so pale and thin. So vex’d, indeed, was Captain now, That he resolv’d to go And take the Train, and made this vow— “Ne’er more to leave Westlooe.” Throughout the journey he never smil’d, And sat as though in grief, Breath’d not a sound to man nor child, Thought every one a thief. * * * But there was one look’d straight at Joe, Who thought it very strange That “only just a day or two Had wrought this wondrous change!” Now (which augmented Captain’s cares) He’d left at home the “lines” Which told where liv’d those Londoners— Advent’rers in the mines. * * * Fast flew the train, and Joe got home, Where flock’d his friends to see (As customary in the town), And list’ attentively To Captain Joseph’s great account; But they were much surpris’d To find he’d nothing to recount Save his being modernis’d; For what Joe thought to have in store, When first he started out, Had vanish’d like a metaphor, And he turn’d inside out.