A freakishness that played strange pranks
With the poor dwellers on its banks.
There came two engineers. One said,
"Embank it!" Wagging a wise head
In the austere impressive way
Of dogmatists, as who should say,
"If there's an Oracle, I am it."
The other answered, "Nonsense! Dam it!"
They did, and stood with hope elate,
But presently there came a "spate;"