Howe’er this may be,

Our herald felt he

Had no “call” to assist in this felo de se;

So straight fell on his knee,

And exclaimed, “Don’t you see,

Noble Countess Yolenta, this good jest at present

Is a great deal too pointed and sharp to be pleasant?

I humbly beg pardon,

So pray don’t be hard on

A penitent cove, whose name’s printed this card on.”