I stole the Prince, and I brought him here, <br />And left him, gaily prattling <br />With a highly respectable Gondolier, <br />Who promised the Royal babe to rear, <br />And teach him the trade of a timoneer <br />With his own beloved bratling. <br /> <br />Both of the babes were strong and stout, <br />And, considering all things, clever. <br />Of that there is no manner of doubt - <br />No probable, possible shadow of doubt - <br />No possible doubt whatever. <br /> <br />Time sped, and when at the end of a year <br />I sought that infant cherished, <br />That highly respectable Gondolier <br />Was lying a corpse on his humble bier - <br />I dropped a Grand Inquisitor's tear - <br />That Gondolier had perished! <br /> <br />A taste for drink, combined with gout, <br />Had doubled him up for ever. <br />Of THAT there is no manner of doubt - <br />No probable, possible shadow of doubt - <br />No possible doubt whatever. <br /> <br />But owing, I'm much disposed to fear, <br />To his terrible taste for tippling, <br />That highly respectable Gondolier <br />Could never declare with a mind sincere <br />Which of the two was his offspring dear, <br />And which the Royal stripling! <br /> <br />Which was which he could never make out, <br />Despite his best endeavour. <br />Of THAT there is no manner of doubt - <br />No probable, possible shadow of doubt - <br />No possible doubt whatever. <br /> <br />The children followed his old career - <br />(This statement can't be parried) <br />Of a highly respectable Gondolier: <br />Well, one of the two (who will soon be here) - <br />But WHICH of the two is not quite clear - <br />Is the Royal Prince you married! <br /> <br />Search in and out and round about <br />And you'll discover never <br />A tale so free from every doubt - <br />All probable, possible shadow of doubt - <br />All possible doubt whatever!<br /><br />William Schwenck Gilbert<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-highly-respectable-gondolier/
