University of Virginia Library


36

REVENGE

Last week, when conning Cicero
In New Big School,
Smith called me, by a paraphrase,
A senseless mule:
I wasn't sharp enough just then
To answer, Jack,
That pots had oft been known to call
The kettles black!
And in the Close the other day
He called me ‘Muff!’
I think I've borne his impudence
Quite long enough!

37

From length to length abusive men
Can quickly pass,
So I was hardly staggered when
He called me ‘Ass!’
But in the nets on Friday eve
I long did toil
To make old Smith rub in at night
St. Jacob's Oil!
If on the Smithian shins remains
An unbruised inch
My name is not Bartholomew
Ezekiel Finch!