Gargoyles

I seemed to haunt the Continental. A saucy little elemental Flitted across; I heard it sneer; ** You won’t get water, though, I fear.” That ’s hell all over. Good-bye, greens, Water, cold mutton, bread, and beans! They feed us well, like gentlemen, On chilis, seasoned with cayenne. Worse, one must finish every course. ’S truth, I had rather eat boiled horse! IV. My first friend was an agéd monk, He fed on rice and water. Sunk His cheeks and cold his blood. You see The fool was a damned soul like me; He had starved himself on earth in hope In heaven to banquet with the Pope, With God and Christ on either hand And all the angels’ choral band Playing sweet music. O the fool To treat earth as a baby’s school! 102