The Landau

There was a landau deep and wide,

Cushioned for Sleep's own self to sit on--

The glory of the country-side

From Tanner's End to Marlow Ditton.

John of the broad and brandied cheek

(Well I recall its eau-de-vie hues!)

Drove staid Sir Ralph five days a week

At speeds which we considered Jehu's...

But now' poor John sleeps very sound,

And neither hears nor smells the fuss

Of the young Squire's nine-hundred-pound--

Er-Mors communis omnibus.

And I who in my daily stroll

Observe the reckless chauffeur crowd her,

Laudator temporis, extol

The times before the Act allowed her.