And thus strange things do happen in this world.

Well then, this fierce barbarian from the North,

Who as I said was densely ignorant

Of Trinitarian theology,

Was not much further in the Italian tongue,

Seeing that that which he essayed to speak

Was of the pidgin kind,—oh, marvel strange!

Oh, wondrous miracle!—lo, how the Muse

Brings up that word to keep me to my tale!

Ah! what strange things do happen in this world!