Where reeking London's smoky cauldron simmers.

I love the language, that soft bastard Latin

Which melts like kisses from a female mouth,

And sounds as if it should be writ on satin,

With syllables which breathe of the sweet South,

And gentle liquids gliding all so pat in,

That not a single accent seems uncouth,

Like our harsh northern whistling, grunting guttural,

Which were obliged to hiss, and spit and sputter all.

I like the women too (forgive my folly!),