In fact it seemed as if he must have had "A Thousand and One Gems" open before him while he was at work, and to have drawn liberally from its pages.
The way was long, the night was cold, And Jack and Jill were young and bold.
"Try not the hill," the old man said, "Dark lowers the tempest overhead." A voice replied far up the height, "We've many a step to walk this night." Ah, luckless speech! ah, bootless boast! Two minutes more and they were lost.
Who would not weep for Jack and Jill?
They died, though much against their will.
And the birds of the air all fell sobbing and sighing As they heard of these two unfortunates dying.
The concluding line (which was the only original one in the poem) was specially weak, and Number 8, I observe, only received one vote, and that was probably given by himself.
But, for originality and humour, Number 9's version was the most distinguished of the lot.

With it I conclude, and if I may express an unbiassed opinion, many years after the memorable contest, I consider it far and away the best version of the story of Jack and Jill I have ever met with.
Jack and Jill Went up a hill To fetch a pail of water, Jack fell down And broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after..