16 SELECT POETRY

«A Baron am I,” said Bluebottie,
“ From a foreign land I come ;”
*‘T thought as much,” said Web-Spinnecz,
* Fools never stay at home !”
_ Says the Baron, “Churl, what meaneth this?
I defy you, villian base!”
And he wished the while, in his inmost heart,
He was safely from the place.

Web-spinner ran and locked the door,
And a loud laugh laughed he,

With that, each one on the other sprang
And they wrestled furiously.

The Baron was a man of might,
A swordsman of renown ;

But the Miser had the stronger arm,
And kept the Baron down.

Then out he took a little cord,
From a pocket at his side,

And with many a crafty, cruel knot,
His hands and feet he tied ;

And bound him down unto the floor,
And said, in savage jest,

“ There is heavy work in store for you ;—

So, Baron, take your rest !”

Then up and down his house he went,
Arranging dish and platter,

With a dull and heavy countenance,
As if nothing were the matter.

At length he seized on Bluebott'e
That strong and burly man,