1Prose took the minstrel’s verse without a squeeze
2when masons clutch the breath we held on loan
3her native chauffeur waited in the breeze
4which neither time nor tide can long postpone

5Oh how oh how he hates such pilferings
6the North Wind Bites into his architrave
7a daring baron pockets precious Mings
8to break a rule Britannia’s might might waive

9Poetic licence needs no strain or stress
10shallots and sharks’fins face the smould’ring log
11while homeward thirsts to each quenched glass say yes

12Bard I adore your endless monologue
13do bank clerks rule their abacus by thumb
14and lessors’ dates have all too short a sum