The Pilgrims Of Pall Mall

My little Friend, so small and neat, Whom years ago I used to meet In Pall Mall daily; How cheerily you tripp'd away To work, it might have been to play, You tripp'd so gaily.

And Time trips too.--This moral means, You then were midway in the teens That I was crowning: We never spoke, but when I smil'd At morn or eve, I know, dear child, You were not frowning.

Each morning when we met, I think, Some sentiment did us two link-- Nor joy, nor sorrow: And then at eve, experience-taught, Our hearts fell back upon the thought,-- We meet to-morrow!

And you were poor; and how? and why? How kind to come! it was for my Especial grace meant! Had you a parlour next the stars, A bird, some treasur'd plants in jars, About your casement?

You must have dwelt au cinquieme, Like little darling What's-her-name,-- Eugene Sue's glory: Perchance, unwittingly, I've heard Your thrilling-toned Canary-bird From that fifth storey.

I've seen some changes since we met; A patient little seamstress yet, With small means striving, Have you a Lilliputian spouse? And do you dwell in some doll's house? --Is baby thriving?

Can bloom like thine--my heart grows chill-- Have sought that bourne unwelcome still To bosom smarting? The most forlorn--what worms we are!-- Would wish to finish this cigar Before departing.

I sometimes to Pall Mall repair, And see the damsels passing there; But though I try to Obtain one glance, they look discreet, As though they'd someone else to meet,-- As have not I too?

Yet still I often muse upon Our many meetings--come and gone! July--December! Now let us make a tryste, and when, Dear little soul, we meet again, In some serener sphere, why then-- Thy Friend remember!