I thought—let's see, what did I think?—perhaps
You'd hardly time to read poetic scraps;
Your leisure's precious, and I dared not trench on it!
Then ladies of the Press bar compliments
(At least I seldom find they will permit any!),
So I'm impelled to write plain common sense,
As near as may be, and on no pretence
Aspire to high-flown ode or "lover's litany"!
But still you've asked me, and I'd much regret
Not to oblige you promptly, if I know a way;