You ask me, friend, br Why I don't send br The long since due-and-paid-for numbers; br Why, songless, I br As drunken lie br Abandoned to Lethean slumbers. br br Long time ago br (As well you know) br I started in upon that carmen; br My work was vain,-- br But why complain? br When gods forbid, how helpless are men! br br Some ages back, br The sage Anack br Courted a frisky Samian body, br Singing her praise br In metered phrase br As flowing as his bowls of toddy.