Letters, letters, letters, letters! <br />Some that please and some that bore, <br />Some that threaten prison fetters <br />(Metaphorically, fetters <br />Such as bind insolvent debtors) - <br />Invitations by the score. <br /> <br />One from COGSON, WILES, and RAILER, <br />My attorneys, off the Strand; <br />One from COPPERBLOCK, my tailor - <br />My unreasonable tailor - <br />One in FLAGG'S disgusting hand. <br /> <br />One from EPHRAIM and MOSES, <br />Wanting coin without a doubt, <br />I should like to pull their noses - <br />Their uncompromising noses; <br />One from ALICE with the roses - <br />Ah, I know what that's about! <br /> <br />Time was when I waited, waited <br />For the missives that she wrote, <br />Humble postmen execrated - <br />Loudly, deeply execrated - <br />When I heard I wasn't fated <br />To be gladdened with a note! <br /> <br />Time was when I'd not have bartered <br />Of her little pen a dip <br />For a peerage duly gartered - <br />For a peerage starred and gartered - <br />With a palace-office chartered, <br />Or a Secretaryship. <br /> <br />But the time for that is over, <br />And I wish we'd never met. <br />I'm afraid I've proved a rover - <br />I'm afraid a heartless rover - <br />Quarters in a place like Dover <br />Tend to make a man forget. <br /> <br />Bills for carriages and horses, <br />Bills for wine and light cigar, <br />Matters that concern the Forces - <br />News that may affect the Forces - <br />News affecting my resources, <br />Much more interesting are! <br /> <br />And the tiny little paper, <br />With the words that seem to run <br />From her little fingers taper <br />(They are very small and taper), <br />By the tailor and the draper <br />Are in interest outdone. <br /> <br />And unopened it's remaining! <br />I can read her gentle hope - <br />Her entreaties, uncomplaining <br />(She was always uncomplaining), <br />Her devotion never waning - <br />Through the little envelope!<br /><br />WS Gilbert<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballad-tempora-mutantur/
