And let its notes once more, in refluent stanzas,

Dower the Income-tax with glad Bonanzas.”

So she; and—since I loathe to disappoint

The least illusion of the equal sex—

Let Byron’s oil once more these locks anoint,

Once more let honour meet these Cox-drawn cheques ...

Though well I know that times are spare of joint,

And satire’s song less like to please than vex;

Now small beer, Smallwood, raids and strikes and rations,

Have near eclipsed the gaiety of nations: