Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/73

 ’Tis a journey that will bring us

Benefits in various ways,

In its every finest nuance

Culture we shall there appraise.

We shall learn there to delight us

In the beefsteak, nor affright us

At the Briton’s tea and trays.

’Neath the Seine’s new tower of Babel

We the demi-monde shall ken,

Gauge their whimsies and caprices,

And the price of public men:

Sternly prune our robes’ excesses,

For oh! dismal thought! our dress is

Of a date—the Lord knows when!

But in Berlin town awaits us

Other benefits as rare,

For I shall engage officials,

To instruct my army, there.

Then the whole world in alliance,

When mine ape troops hurl defiance,

To confront us will not dare.

And then, ah! it irks me sorely

On the throne alone to pine,

Mine impulsive heart compels me

To the wedded state divine.

So at court I’ll look about me,

And ere six months, never doubt me,

Some spruce princess shall be mine.