Now Signor Michelli, though very much saner
Than many, was far from a total abstainer;
And whether the cheer of the festival season
Or hard mental work had deprived him of reason
I cannot affirm, but I’m positive quite,
That he looked to be tight,
On the advertised night,
In spite of his tie and his linen so white;
For when he came in he walked up to the slate,
And proceeded at once in a manner sedate,