otioning with his hand to the fiddlers to begin, the prior cleared his
throat, and, to the same simple but touching melody they had marched in
to supper, sang the following chant:--

GOOD-LUCK TO THE FRIARS OF OLD

'Of all trades that flourished of old,
Before men knew reading and writing,
The friars' was best I am told,
If one wasn't much given to fighting;
For, rent free, you lived at your ease--
You had neither to work nor to labour--
You might eat of whatever you please,
For the prog was supplied by your neighbour.
Oh, good-luck to the friars of old!

'Your dress was convenient and cheap--
A loose robe like this I am wearing:
It was pleasant to eat in or sleep,
And never much given to tearing.
Not tightened nor squeezed in the least--
How of modern days you might shame us!
With a small bit of cord round your waist--
With what vigour you'd chant the oremus!
Oh, good-luck to the friars of old!

'What miracles then, too, you made!
The fame to this hour is lasting;
But the strangest of all, it is said,
You grew mighty fat upon fasting!
And though strictly forbid to touch wine,
How the fact all your glory enhances!
You well knew the taste of the vine--
Some miraculous gift of St. Francis!
Oh, good-luck to the friars of old!

'To trace an example so meek,
And repress all our carnal desires,
We mount two pair stairs every week,
And put on the garment of friars;
And our order itself it is old--
The oldest between me and you, sir;
For King David, they say, was enrolled,
And a capital Monk of the Screw, sir.
So, good-luck to the friars of old!'

The song over, and another cheer given to the brethren of the Screw, the
pipkins were replenished, and the conversation, so long pent up, burst
forth in all its plenitude. Nothing but fun, nothing but wit, nothing
but merriment, was heard on either side. Here were not only all the
bright spirits of the day, but they were met by appointment; they came
prepared for the combat, armed for the fight; and, certainly, never was
such a joust of wit and brilliancy. Good stories rained around; jests,
repartees, and epigrams flew like lightning; and one had but time
to catch some sparkling gem as it glittered, ere another and another
succeeded.

But even already I grow impatient with myself