What Leda in another swan's embrace
Bore you these pages twain so like in face?
In Hierus a Pollux we behold,
Asylus wears the mien of Castor bold,
And both have Helen's beauty. Had they been
In Sparta when small gifts made Venus queen,
Paris had cried — " No Tyndaris I need:
I choose instead this double Ganymede."
You return me my bond for four thousand. 'twere better
To lend me a thousand and leave me your debtor.
You must find some one else to oblige in that way;
The money's my own which I cannot repay.
You ask — " Has he any real name of his own,
This person you call Mr Algernon Brown"?
I'm damned if I know: call him Brown, my dear fellows:
I can't bear the blame of your friend's peccadilloes.
When Algernon Brown was a bachelor gay
He was put by the girls at the top of class A;
But his value has sadly decreased since he wed,
And now he appears at the bottom of Z.
If I were called to diverse feasts above,
This way by Caesar and that way by Jove,
Though heaven were near, the palace far away,
These were the words that to the gods I'ld say —
" Seek some one else to be the Thunderer's guest.
I have my Jove on earth: je suis, je reste ."
An astrologer said that you would not last long,
And I really imagine he was not far wrong,
For, wishing to leave not one penny behind,
In a year you have thrown your estate to the wind;
A very nice fortune you've managed to spend,
So I think we may say that you've had a quick end.