1The acid tongue with gourmet’s expertise
2licks round carved marble chops on snails full-blown
3the understanding critic firstly sees
4which neither time nor tide can long postpone

5How it suprised us pale grey underlings
6nought can the mouse’s timid nibbling stave
7proud death quite il-le-gi-ti-mate-ly stings
8victorious worms grind all into the grave

9It’s no good rich men crying Heaven Bless
10one tongue will do to keep the verse agog
11watching manure and compost coalesce

12With breaking voice across the Alps they slog
13though bretzels take the dols from board-room drum
14they’re kings we’re mammal-cousins hi ho hum