From the grey Elms--beneath whose shade
A hospitable banquet laid,
Had heroes e'en of cowards made.--
Brought 'placets' thirty-nine.


XIII

Stout Varius hurled 'non placet'
At Post-Magister's head:
At the mere glance of Pottius
Fierce Radicalis fled:
And Parvus Mariensis--
So they who heard him tell--
Uttered but one false quantity,
And Professorius fell!

* * * *

XIV.

But fiercer still and fiercer
Fresh foemen sought the fray.
And fainter still and fainter
Stout Varius stood at bay.
'O that this too, too solid
Flesh would dissolve,' he sighed;
Yet still he stood undaunted,
And still the foe defied.