But with scornful look, though shady, perched above my Office-door,
Perched upon BRITANNIA's bust that stood above my Office-door—
Perched, and sat, and seemed to snore.
"Well," I said, sardonic smiling, "this is really rather riling;
"It comports not with decorum such as the War Office bore
In old days stiff and clean-shaven. Dub me a Gladstonian craven
If I ever saw a Raven at the W.O. before.
Tell me what your blessed name is. 'Rule Britannia' held of yore,"
Quoth the bird, "'Tis so no more!"
Much I marvelled this sophistic fowl to utter pessimistic