Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore!"
"Nonsense!" said I. "After dinner at the Holborn, as a winner
Spake I in the Pangloss spirit to the taxpayers, (Don't snore!)
Told them our recruits—who'll master e'en unmerciful disaster,
Come in fast and come in faster, quite as good as those of yore,"—
"Flattering tales of (Stan) Hope!" cried the bird, whose dismal dirges bore,
One dark burden—"Nevermore!"
"Hang it, Raven, this is riling!" cried I. "Stop your rude reviling!"
Then I wheeled my office-chair in front of bird and bust and door;
And upon its cushion sinking, "I," I said, "will smash like winking