We, too, had known golden hours br When body and soul were in tune, br Had danced with our true loves br By the light of a full moon, br And sat with the wise and good br As tongues grew witty and gay br Over some noble dish br Out of Escoffier; br Had felt the intrusive glory br Which tears reserve apart, br And would in the old grand manner br Have sung from a resonant heart. br But, pawed-at and gossiped-over br By the promiscuous crowd, br Concocted by editors br Into spells to befuddle the crowd, br All words like Peace and Love, br All sane affirmative speech, br Had been soiled, profaned, debased br To a horrid mechanical screech.