“This is the way,” laughed the Middleman
(Laughed as he sate by the River!),
“The only way, since Rings began
To suck Trade’s blood, they could fully succeed.”
Then popping his lips to the conduit-reed,
He drew, drew, drew, from the River.
Neat cheat, O Middleman!
Vampire-ghoul of the River!
Blind most neat, O Middleman!
You idly sit as the stream flows by,