Page:The Glugs of Gosh (C. J. Dennis, 1917).djvu/85



OMEWHERE or other, 'tis doubtful where, In the archives of Gosh is a volume rare, A precious old classic that nobody reads, And nobody asks for, and nobody heeds; Which makes it a classic, and famed thro' the land, As well-informed persons will quite understand.

'Tis a ponderous work, and 'tis written in prose, For some mystical reason that nobody knows; And it tells in a style that is terse and correct Of the rule of the Swanks and its baneful effect On the commerce of Gosh, on its morals and trade: And it quotes a grave prophecy somebody made.

And this is the prophecy, written right bold On a parchment all tattered and yellow and old; So old and so tattered that nobody knows How far into foretime its origin goes. But this is the writing that set Glugs agog When 'twas called to their minds by the Mayor of Quog: When Gosh groaneth bastlie tho Greed and hys plannes, Ye rimer shall mende ye who mendes pottes and pans.