In platitudes luscious and limp,

Such as deck, with a deathless adorning,

The Song of the Shrimp!

"When the Ducklet's dark doom is decided,

We will trundle him home in a trice:

And the banquet so plainly provided

Shall round into rosebuds and rice:

In a blaze of pragmatic invention

He shall wrestle with Fate and shall reign:

But he has not a friend fit to mention,