And I says to the porter,—“R. Browning: free passes; and kindly look slick.”

But says he, dripping tears

In his check handkerchief,

“That symposium’s career’s

Been regrettably brief,

For it went all its pile upon crumpets and busted on gunpowder leaf!”

Then we tucked up the sleeves

Of our shirts (that were biled),

Which the reader perceives

That our feelings were riled,