Cursed be the Bank of England's notes, that tempt the soul to sin!
Cursed be the want of acres,—doubly cursed the want of tin!
Cursed be the marriage-contract, that enslaved thy soul to greed!
Cursed be the sallow lawyer, that prepared and drew the deed!
Cursed be his foul apprentice, who the loathsome fees did earn!
Cursed be the clerk and parson,—cursed be the whole concern!
* * * * *
Oh, 'tis well that I should bluster,—much I'm like to make of that;
Better comfort have I found in singing 'All Around my Hat.'
But that song, so wildly plaintive, palls upon my British ears.