A Century of Parody and Imitation

by Unknown

Gaping and torpid they retired,

To dream of what they should be doing.

XVII.

And worse and worse, the drowsy curse

Yawned in him, till it grew a pest—

A wide contagious atmosphere,

Creeping like cold through all things near;

A power to infect and to infest.

XVIII.

His servant-maids and dogs grew dull;