THAT single knock ! that single knock !
Ah me, it comes once more;
My very hair is turning gray
With horror of that door.

I wonder which of them it is;

Oh! would that I could run : Alas! their name is "legion," but I'm sure it is a Dun.

That single knock! that single knock!

It is my funeral bell,

And seems to ring of future "tick,"

The melancholy knell.

I cannot bear the dreadful sound,

"Tis worse than any gun; I wonder which of them it is

I know it is a Dun.

That single knock! that single knock!

Oh! will it ever cease?

Why can't the fellow go away,

And let me be at peace?

I cannot pay his odious bill,
I am a Younger Son:

I wonder which of them it is

I know it is a Dun!

That single knock! that single knock!

Yes, there it is again :

There's more impatience in its sound;
I shut my ears in vain.
I'd sooner be a galley slave,

To toil in rain or sun :

I wonder which of them it is

I know it is a Dun!

That single knock! that single knock!

It comes again, more quick;

I'll have that knocker muffled up,

And make believe I'm sick.

I can't get out to eat my chop,

Or even munch a bun:

I wonder which of them it is

I know it is a Dun!

That single knock! that single knock! Each minute seems an age;

I thought so there it is once more—
He's getting in a rage.

I used to laugh at bills, but now
I find it serious fun :

I wonder which of them it is—

I know it is a Dun!

The Dun being naturally a distrustful animal, and like Ishmael, "His hand being against every one, and every one's against his," it

requires considerable delicacy to apply just so much of the suaviter in modo as may not awaken his suspicions; in other words, let your flattery be veiled and insidious, not open and gross. The angler who wishes to ensnare the cunning fish is careful, whatever may be the bait, to keep the hook well concealed; and so also, the Younger Son should use such dexterity with his prey, that all may appear fair outside: while within lies hidden destruction. Duns, too, have a foible, for what they are pleased to call open conduct, and they profess to hold any dissimulation or false excuses in great horror. I have often heard them saytalking of some poor devil, whom they had entrapped, before he could get to France"If Mr. So-and-so, had only told us it was not convenient for him to pay us, just at that time, we shouldn't have cared; but to go and act in such an unhandsome manner, and so unlike a gentleman," etc., etc., etc.

In my opinion, therefore, an adroit affec