He is not flamboyant or furious;
His Crown's a brass helmet, his Sceptre a hose;
True Fire King,—all others are spurious.
For he rules the flames; he has done so for long;
And now that he talks of retiring,
Men mourn for the fire-queller cautious and strong,
Whose reign they've so long been admiring.
Clear-headed, cool Captain, great chief M.F.B.,
All London is sorry to lose you;
As kindly as kingly, from prejudice free;