But lo! while wafted off my course,
I’ve lost the thread of my discourse!
It seems to me, I’m off the track,
And wonder how I shall get back;
Where did I stop? what was my theme?
’Twas haply but an idle dream.
Just here I, making full confession,
Plead guilty of a long digression;
But claim your pardon, on the plea
Of absolute necessity.