54 THE BOYS’ BROWNING.

Who dared interpose between the altar’s victim and
the priest ?

Yet he spared me! You eleven! Whosoever, all or
each,

To the disadvantage of the man who spared me,
utters speech

—To his face, behind his back, — that speaker has
to do with me:

Me who promise, if positions change, and mine the
chance should be,

Not to imitate your friend and waive advantage !’

“ Twenty-five

Years ago this matter happened: and ’tis certain,”
added Clive,

“Never, to my knowledge, did Sir Cocky have a
single breath

Breathed against him: lips were closed throughout

. his life, or since his death,

For if he be dead or living I can tell no more than
you.

All I know is — Cocky had one chance more; how he
used it, — grew

Out of such unlucky habits, or relapsed, and back

again }

Brought the late-ejected devil with a score more in
his train, —

That’s for you to judge. Reprieval I procured, at any
rate.