University of Virginia Library

There in the oozy grounds of the Fen ,
They gather the sorrel .
That officer ,
Is elegant beyond measure .
He is elegant beyond measure .
But , perhaps , he is not what the superintendent of the ruler's carriages ought to be .

There along the side of the Fen ,
They gather the mulberry leaves .
That officer ,
Is elegant as a flower .
He is elegant as a flower ;
But , perhaps , he is not what the marshaller of the carriages ought to be .

There along the bend of the Fen ,
They gather the ox-lips .
That officer ,
Is elegant as a gem .
He is elegant as a gem ;
But , perhaps , he is not what the superintendent of the ruler's relations should be .