At his monstrous error

That he stammered his apology and made his ’scape,

The picture of a disconcerted ape.

With a view to rise in the Railway scales,

He washed his collar and cut his nails.

He bought a uniform and made it shine,

And swore that he belonged to the Alton Line.

But it would not do,

His scheme fell through,

For the Alton man was beauty’s king,