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thousand guilders! The Mayor looked blue;So did the Corporation, too.For council dinners made rare havocWith Claret, deg. Moselle, deg. Vin-de-Grave, deg. Hock deg.; deg.158And half the money would replenishTheir cellar's biggest butt with Rhenish deg.. deg.160To pay this sum to a wandering fellowWith a gypsy coat of red and yellow!"Beside," quoth the Mayor, with a knowing wink,"Our business was done at the river's brink;We saw with our eyes the vermin sink,And what's dead can't come to life, I think.So, friend, we're not the folks to shrinkFrom the duty of giving you something for drink,And a matter of money to put in your poke;But as for the guilders, what we spoke 170Of them, as you very well know, was in joke.Beside, our losses have made us thrifty.A thousand guilders! Come, take fifty!" X The Piper's face fell, and he cried,"No trifling! I can't wait! Beside,I've promised to visit by dinner-timeBagdat, and accept the primeOf the Head-Cook's pottage, all he's rich in,For having left, in the Caliph's deg. kitchen, deg.179Of a nest of scorpions no survivor: 180With him I proved no bargain-driver,With you, don't think I'll bate a stiver!And folks who put me in a passionMay find me pipe after another fashion."
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