(W.H. Auden)
Victor was a little baby, into this world he came:
His father took him on his knee and said:' Don't dishonour the family
name.' Victor looked up at his father- loked up with big round eyes:
His father said:' Victor, my only son, don't you ever tell lies.'
It was a frosty December, it wsn't the season for fruits;
His father fell dead of heart disease while lacing up his boots.
It was a frosty December when into his grave he sank;
His uncle found Victor a post as a cashier in the Midlands Counties
bank.
It was a frosty December Victor was only eighteen.
But his figures were neat and his margins straight and his cuffs were
always clean.
He took a room at the Peveril, a respectableboarding-house: And Time
watched Victor day after day as a cat willwatch a mouse.
Victor went up to his bedroom, set the alarm bell;
Climbed into his bed, took his bible and read of happend to Jezebel.
It was the First of April, Anna to the Peveril came;
Her eyes, her lips, her breasts, her hips and her smile set men
aflame. It was the Second of April, she was wearing a coat of fur;
Victor met her upon the stairs and fell in love with her.
The first time he made his proposal, she laughed, said:' I'll never
wed':
The second time there was a pause, then she shook her head. Anna
looked at the mirror, pouted and gave a frown; Said;'Victor's as dull
as a wet afternoon but I've got to settle down.'
The third time hemade his proposal, as they walked by the Reservoir,
She gave him a kiss like a blowon the head, said,'You are my heart's
desire.'
They married early in August, she said;'Kiss me, you funny
boy':
Victor took her in his arms and said:'O my Helen of Troy.'
The clerks were
