The Social Order

I This government official Whose wife is several years his senior, Has such a caressing air When he shakes hands with young ladies. II (Pompes Funèbres) This old lady, Who was fcso old that she was an atheist', Is now surrounded By six candles and a crucifix, While the second wife of a nephew Makes hay with the things in her house. Her two cats Go before her into Avernus; A sort of chloroformed suttee, And it is to be hoped that their spirits will walk With their tails up, And with a plaintive, gentle mewing, For it is certain that she has left on this earth No sound Save a squabble of female connections,