Canto 2 ("See him in his uncheerful head-piece…)

"See him in his uncheerful head-piece! Libertad's on the Mexic coin Would better suit me for a shade-piece: Ah, had I known he was to join!"— So chid the Greek, the banker one Perceiving Mortmain there at hand, And in allusion to a dun Skull-cap he wore. Derwent light reined The steed; and thus: "Beg pardon now, It looks a little queer, concede; Nor less the cap fits well-shaped brow; It yet may prove the wishing-cap Of Fortunatus." "No indeed, No, no, for that had velvet nap Of violet with silver tassel— Much like my smoking-cap, you see, Light laughed the Smyrniote, that vassal Of health and young vivacity. "Glaucon, be still," the senior said (And yet he liked to hear him too); "I say it doth but ill bestead To have a black cap in our crew." "Pink, pink," cried Glaucon, "pink's the hue:—

"Pink cap and ribbons of the pearl, A Paradise of bodice, The Queen of Sheba's laundry girl—

"Hallo, what now? They come to halt Down here in glen! Well, well, we'll vault." His song arrested, so he spake And light dismounted, wide awake.—

"A sprightly comrade have you here," Said Derwent in the senior's ear. The banker turned him: "Folly, folly— But good against the melancholy."