Browning's Shorter Poems

The Piper’s face fell, and he cried,
“No trifling!  I can’t wait!  Beside,
I’ve promised to visit by dinner-time
Bagdat, and accept the prime
Of the Head-Cook’s pottage, all he’s rich in,
For having left, in the Caliph’s° kitchen, °179
Of a nest of scorpions no survivor:  180
With him I proved no bargain-driver,
With you, don’t think I’ll bate a stiver! 
And folks who put me in a passion
May find me pipe after another fashion.”