‘The knowledge of this nether world,
Say, friend, what is it?—false or true?
The false, what mortal cares to know?—
The true, what mortal ever knew?’
Sometimes he will break out into rather a ‘fast’ strain, e. g.—
‘At Meccah I saw a lass selling perfume,
She put forth a hand, and I cried, “O sweet!”
(Three sniffs, crescendo.)
She leant over me, casting a glance of love,
But from Meccah I sped, saying, “Farewell, sweet!”’