1At five precisely out went La Marquise
2the bull’s horns ought to dry it like a bone
3forms shadowy with indecision wheeze
4and empty cages show life’s bird has flown

5The frisian Isles my friends are cherised things
6nought can the mouse’s timid nibbling stave
7the learning linguist cameramaniac sings
8Etruscan words which Greece and Rome engrave

9When dried the terrapin can naught express
10or grinning like a pale-faced golliwog
11while homeward thirsts to each quenched glass say yes

12Southern baroque’s seductive dialogue
13do bank clerks rule their abacus by thumb
14in cognac brandy is Bacardi rum?