Why Jesus Wept

70 WHY JESUS WEPT. MOLLY. Oh, do come, dearie ! THEATRE-GOER. No, I tell you — try Liverpool Street ! Curtain. What follows is strictly by request in the interest of ‘ healthy optimism’. So far my pen has touched with vivid truth The constant story of the eternal struggle Of age and sense with flatulence and youth. Now — see the venal poet start to juggle ! Young ladies, you desire to see a comedy ! The poet’s master pen shall twist the river Of song into a simple to-and-from eddy. And you shall laugh where once you feared to shiver. So listen to the happy termination Of this apparently so sad relation ! Twill suit your rosy dreams to admiration ! But, be the gatepost witness ! it is rot. Still, if I hide my face with due decorum Behind a silken kerchief in the forum, And laugh aloud — at home — At the silliness of Rome, You’ll forgive me, will you not ?