And with nine grains of Rhubard, stellified,

As low as to the altitude of shame,

He thrust four Onions in a Candle-case,

And spoil’d the meaning of the world’s misdoubt.

Thus with a Dialogue of crimson Starch,

I was inflamed with a nun-cold fire,

Upon the tenterhooks of Charlemagne.

The Dogstar howl’d, the Cat a Mountain smil’d,

And Sisyphus drank Muscadel and eggs,

In the horn’d hoof of huge Bucephalus,