Poem by William Schwenck Gilbert

The Bab Ballads. Tempora Mutantur

Letters, letters, letters, letters!
   Some that please and some that bore,
Some that threaten prison fetters
(Metaphorically, fetters
Such as bind insolvent debtors)—
   Invitations by the score.

One from Cogson, Wiles, and Railer,
   My attorneys, off the Strand;
One from Copperblock, my tailor—
My unreasonable tailor—
   One in Flagg’s disgusting hand.

One from Ephraim and Moses,
   Wanting coin without a doubt,
I should like to pull their noses—
Their uncompromising noses;
One from Alice with the roses—
   Ah, I know what that’s about!

Time was when I waited, waited
   For the missives that she wrote,
Humble postmen execrated—
Loudly, deeply execrated—
When I heard I wasn’t fated
   To be gladdened with a note!

Time was when I’d not have bartered
   Of her little pen a dip
For a peerage duly gartered—
For a peerage starred and gartered—
With a palace-office chartered,
   Or a Secretaryship.

But the time for that is over,
   And I wish we’d never met.
I’m afraid I’ve proved a rover—
I’m afraid a heartless rover—
Quarters in a place like Dover
   Tend to make a man forget.

Bills for carriages and horses,
   Bills for wine and light cigar,
Matters that concern the Forces—
News that may affect the Forces—
News affecting my resources,
   Much more interesting are!

And the tiny little paper,
   With the words that seem to run
From her little fingers taper
(They are very small and taper),
By the tailor and the draper
   Are in interest outdone.

And unopened it’s remaining!
   I can read her gentle hope—
Her entreaties, uncomplaining
(She was always uncomplaining),
Her devotion never waning—
   Through the little envelope!

1. The Bab Ballads. The Periwinkle Girl
2. The Bab Ballads. Disillusioned
3. The Bab Ballads. The Folly of Brown
4. The Bab Ballads. A Discontented Sugar Broker
5. The Bab Ballads. General John

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