XI. DRUM-MAJOR

Who says Drum-Major says a man of mould,

Shaking the meek earth with tremendous tread,

And pacing still, a triumph to behold,

Of his own spine at least two yards ahead!

Attorney, grocer, surgeon, broker, duke —

His calling may be anything, who comes

Into a room, his presence a rebuke

To the dejected, as the pipes and drums

Inspired his port!— who mounts his office stairs

As though he led great armies to the fight!

His bulk itself's pure genius, and he wears

His avoirdupois with so much fire and spright

That, though the creature stands but five feet five,

You take him for the tallest He alive.