Mr. Speaker, gentlemen, a certain sage
Was pleased to call our present time the iron age;
I will not argue on that point, but let it pass,
It seems to me the present is the age of brass.
At borrowed phrases the last speaker made a shy
In borrowed jokes allow me to reply—
Well, that the speech last heard was sound, it cannot be denied,
Grant that, and then it will be found, it’s little else beside.
The speech, no doubt, will be immortal of our friend,
For he who hears it, hears it to no end.