The Saxon, Lindley Murray parts of speech,
Use sparingly flash words imported from abroad,
Not always echoing the late Artemus Ward.
We want to root out words that pass as English in the town,
Learn lessons from, not imitate, a Sketchley’s “Mrs. Brown.”
We ought to cry down common phrases such as these—
“It’s all my eye,” I’m certain that is “not the cheese.”
’Twere better for a boy or girl to sit quite still and dumb
Than call their Father “Governor,” or Mother “Mum.”
Some call their fellows “bloke,” or “thing,” or “cove,”