At a Lecture.

The lecturer took his place and looked

At the eager women's faces,

Then he cleared his throat and he jetted out

A stream of commonplaces.

He fondled Wordsworth and patted Shelley

And said with his hand on his heart

He would brook no interference from morals

In any matter of art.

He finished at last and strode away

Over the naked boards,

Erect in his conscious majesty

Back to the House of Lords.