On the back of his fiddle, then drew a swift bow

’Crost its sensitive strings that the players might know

’Twas time to begin, but a fiddle-string snapped

And put things awry every time that he rapped;

Then tuning and strumming would vie with the horn

That was screeching a monotone strange and forlorn,

While Cupid accepted the timely delay

To lead the fond lovers aside and away.

And meanwhile the “Oracle” wrote some new rhymes

For the dances. Said he, “I write better at times.