Classic Poem

A VETERAN gent, just stepped out of a boat,
In a tattered old hat and a ragged pea-coat,
Appeared at a shop whither many folks run,
And that was the Palace of Moses and Son.

A respectable dame with the mariner went,
Most likely the wife of this veteran gent,
And the eyes of the pair were excited with won-
der on seeing the mansion of Moses and Son.

“I've look'd upon many a palace before,
But splendour like this, love, I never yet sor!”
This party exclaimed “What a great sum of mon-
ey it sure must have cost Messrs Moses and Son!”

In the language of France his good lady replied,
“This house is well known through the universe wide;
And you, my dear Philip, to seed having run,
Had better refit with E. Moses and Son.”

E. Moses stepped forth with a bow full of grace,
Inviting the couple to enter his place:
He thought they were poor—but the poor are not done,
And the rich are not fleeced by E. Moses and Son.

“What clothes can I serve you to-day, my good man?”
E. Moses exclaimed: “You shall pay what you can;
The peer or the peasant, we suit every one;
Republicans true are E. Moses and Son.”

The pea-coated gent at that word made a start,
And looked nervously round at the goods of our mart:
“A vest, coat, and trousers, as soon as they're done,
I want, s'il vous plaît , Messieurs Moses and Son.

“I once was a king, like the monarch of Room,
But was forced from my throne and came off in a Br——m;
And in such a great hurry from P-r-s I run,
I forgot my portmanteau, dear Moses and Son”

“Dear sir,” we exclaimed, “what a lucky escape!”
So one brought the patterns, another the tape;
And while with our patterns his “peepers” we stun,
The gent is quick measured by Moses and Son.

The clothes when complete we direct in a hurry—
“—Smith, Esquire, at Prince Leopold's, Claremont, in Surrey”
The cloth was first-rate, and the fit such a one
As only is furnished by Moses and Son.

As he paces the valley or roams in the grove,
All cry, “What a very respectable cove!”
How changed in appearance from him who late run
From Paris to refuge with Moses and Son.

Now who was this “veteran gent,” sirs, E. Moses,
Although he may “guess,” yet he never discloses.
Do you wish to know more, gents? if you do, why then run
To Aldgate and ask of E. Moses and Son.