I think they’d like their vanished epoch’s swan-song
To be a merry tune, and not a wan song.
So clear the stage, and ring the curtain up!
Once more—ere Empires yield to Leagues of Nations,
And bayonets to Socialistic gup—
Let Beauty, in diaphanous creations,
Ogle the stalls, and subsequently sup
Off iced champagne and ortolan collations....
Whereafter, if my pen won’t bring me pelf,
Damned if I don’t turn Socialist myself!