Or, like a dead dog on a sewage-fouled torrent,
Have gone with the stream; but beyond the least doubt
I'm grateful—so much—for a chance to creep out.
Egomania it seems then is not the last word
Of latter-day wisdom! By Jove I am glad!
I always did feel it was highly absurd
To worship the maudlin, and aim at the mad;
And now, there's a chance for the decent again,
One may relish one's Dickens, yet not seem insane!
The ghoulish-grotesque, and the grimy-obscure,