Some fifty words were rapidly pronounced;
No ripple in the spelling could be made;
The spellers with determination pounced
Upon the words that at their door were laid.
A sore fatigue showed in the speaker’s tongue,
As doggedly still forth the words he flung.
At length he paused, as if he plainly saw,
There’d be no end; they would hold out till dawn.
He asked: “Shall we now call this bout a draw?”
A hundred voices roared, “go on!” “go on!”