We meet again: but all around
Are changes painful Very—
The meal has many courses now,
The tea is turned to sherry.
But though the milk to wine be changed
No tears, no oaths I find
To all these changes you appear
Courageously resigned.

But since, like brigands in carouse
We quaffed the maddening tea,
Since first we ate the ardent bun
And flung the muffin free,
We have not changed: and time may show
Some of our staid five-coursers
As good at breaking wine glasses
As once at smashing saucers.

Recorded all: our maiden aunts