A sun-dial was made by some natives near Quito,
Who thought it so fine (in Spanish “bonito”),
They put up a roof to protect it from rain,
Saying, “We never shall have such a sun-dial again.”
But of use it was none, since the roof hid the sun.
And I said in my heart, ’tis a nice counterpart
Of good laws for our weal
Spoil’d by fools’ silly zeal!
J. E. Hartzenbusch, 1806-1880.