1Prose took the minstrel’s verse without a squeeze
2the answer is they could be twins full-grown
3the showman gargles fire and sword with ease
4and empty cages show life’s bird has flown

5Oh how oh how he hates such pilferings
6with sombre thoughts they grimly line the nave
7in salads all chew grubs before they’ve wings
8the nicest kids for strickiest toffees crave

9Platonic Greece was not so talentless
10one tongue will do to keep the verse agog
11from cool Parnassus down to wild Loch Ness

12Their sculptors did our best our hulks the clog
13and let you off from your opinions glum
14the best of all things to an end must come