Do, Crockford, let the secret out,

Why thus your houses fall.

Quoth he: ‘Since folks are not in town,

I find it better to pull down,

Than have no pull at all.’

“See, passenger, at Crockford’s high behest,

Red-coats by black-legs ousted from their nest;

The arts of peace o’ermatching reckless war,

And gallant Rouge undone by wily Noir!

“‘Impar congressus’ …