For something like eleven summers br I've written things that aimed to teach br Our careless mealy-mouthéd mummers br To be more sedulous of speech. br br So sloppy of articulation br So limping and so careless they, br About distinct enunciation, br Often I don't know what they say. br br The other night an able actor, br Declaiming of some lines I heard, br I hailed a public benefactor, br As I distinguished every word. br br But, oh! the subtle disappointment! br Thorn on the celebrated rose br And fly within the well-known ointment! br (Allusions everybody knows). br br Came forth the words exact and snappy. br And as I sat there, that P.M., br I mused, "Was I not just as happy br When I could not distinguish them?"br br Franklin P.