Page:A Legend of Camelot, Pictures and Poems, etc. George du Maurier, 1898.djvu/117



IX. Not only that: he, on his head

So dexterously caught it,

That all the ladies present said

They never should have thought it!

And even I could not but own

'Twas hard lines for the paving-stone!



X. Next day he caught a cold, alack!

And all his muscles vanished,

But none of his old brains came back

Which his dumb-bells had banished;

And not a rack was left behind

Of what he chose to call his mind!



XI. Poor Richard now (O have you met

Him lately) has grown bitter;

For when he plays the flageolet

The ladies talk and titter;

And no one ever thinks his brow

In any way good-looking now!



XII. O little men, who wish to please,

Be wiser than poor Dick! shun

Big friends with brawny bicipes,

And female works of fiction:

But stick to music all your might,

Or be cut out. And serve you right! 52