Bide your time—bide your time!
Snakes are safest in their slime.
Sages look before they leap;
Heroes, to your hovels creep.
Christmas loves pantomime:
Bide your time—bide your time!
Bide your time—bide your time!
"Shoulder arms"—but never prime.
Keep your skins from Saxon lead;
Plunder paupers for your bread.