  A strong and striking Personality, Worth several hundred thousand pounds— Of strict political Morality— Was walking in his park-like Grounds; When, just as these began to pall on him (I mean the Trees, and Things like that), A Person who had come to call on him Approached him, taking off his Hat. He said, with singular veracity: “I serve our Sea-girt Mother-Land In no conspicuous capacity. I am but an Attorney; and I do a little elementary Negotiation, now and then, As Agent for a Parliamentary Division of the Town of N.... “Merely as one of the Electorate— A member of the Commonweal— Before completing my Directorate, I want to know the way you feel On matters more or less debatable; As—whether our Imperial Pride Can treat as taxable or rateable The Gardens of ...” His host replied: “The Ravages of Inebriety (Alas! increasing day by day!) Are undermining all Society. I do not hesitate to say My country squanders her abilities, Observe how Montenegro treats Her Educational Facilities.... ... As to the African defeats, “I bitterly deplored their frequency; On Canada we are agreed, The Laws protecting Public Decency Are very, very lax indeed! The Views of most of the Nobility Are very much the same as mine, On Thingumbob’s eligibility ... I trust that you remain to dine?” His Lordship pressed with importunity, As rarely he had pressed before. It gave them both an opportunity To know each other’s value more. |
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