Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/42

 The tail? beneath the steel, without restriction

It fell, the name e’en being expunged from diction.

Poor thing, it served to dust the floor or clothes:

The ladies, though, kept theirs; it came in handy

As bustle paddings, in default of those

That nowadays round off our female dandy.

Where palaces of ancient rajahs lifted,

Mid-most the ruined streets, their blue walls rifted,

Half in the wood’s dense roofage disappearing,

And bells of creepers on the façade bearing,

Which many a trace of bygone glory cherished,

The Ape chief raised his seat o’er those had perished.

Before a time-worn gate, whose traceried fretwork,

Moss overrun, and flower stars’ heavier network,

As guard of honour, to and fro, and making

At need a military salute, lo! paces

Ape martial—in a uniform so taking,

Cut à la Gerolstein—’twas once her Grace’s.

And ’neath the graceful archway of the portal

With a cocked bat, fur tippet rich in laces,

Gold mounted staff, his thin fist scarce embraces,

Behold ape concièrge—as his colleagues mortal

Cock their disdainful eye at you-he cocks his:

The porter’s lodge, by the way, a prompter’s box is.

And then you pass o’er Persian carpets, all of

The finest work, through suites of gilt and buhl

To where a spacious inner vestibule

Conducts you to the monarch’s audience hall, of

The loveliest side scenes built, bespangled, clipped,

And in unheard-of pomp and pride equipped.

Fine silver-broidered tapestries here float o’er you,

A splendid carved arm-chair, too, stands before you.