He had been stricken silly:

No cheery sound, except when far away

Came echoes of 'cute LABBY's cynic laughter,

Which, sick of Dumbleborough's chattering jay,

His listeners rambled after.

But Echo's self tires of a GRAHAM's tongue,

Rot blent with rudeness gentlest nymph can't pardon.

Why e'en the G.O.M. his grey head hung,

And wished he were at Hawarden.

Like vine unpruned, SEXTON's exuberant speech