He cursed the irritating starch, he cursed his washerwoman, too.

He curbed his braces—they were tied with bits of string, that broke in twain,

He fixed them with a pin; it stuck into his spine—he cursed again;

He cursed the postman for his knock—'twas by his tailor he was sent;

He cursed the landlady who brought the bill; and asked him for the rent.

Before, behind, above, below, at right or left, he was not loath

To drop a detonating curse, or fling an alternating oath.

He cursed the razor and the strop, he cursed the wart upon his nose,

He cursed his hair that wouldn't grow, he cursed the corns upon his toes.

He cursed a stud and button-hole that was too big; and in the street,