From the works of the old and the talk of the new age,
Save us, Big Ben!
From Mr. Harrison’s endless motions,
From amateur engineering notions,
From Erith and Plumstead sewage oceans,
Within one mile or ten.
From penny-wisdom and pound-foolishness,
From pipe-maker’s quarrels, and Bumbledom’s mulishness,
From H. L. Taylor’s obstinate owlishness,