Is better than a loin of beef.”

It is a charm that never fails

When friends accost me in the street

And utter agonizing wails

About the price of butcher’s meat.

“Cheer up,” I tell them, “creels on creels

Are hastening to your relief;

Cheer up, my friends, one pound of eels

Is better than a loin of beef.”

Then all ye fearful folk, dismayed