Oracles

TO MRS O . . . . . . N C . . . T Written during the first session of the Licensing Committee of the London County Council. I WILL not bring abuse to point my pen, Nor a sarcastic tongue. Think only what you might be, before men, If you were young. What fierce temptations might not lovers bring In London’s wicked city ? Perhaps you might yourself have one wee fling, If you were pretty. What might not hard starvation drive you to, With Death so near and sure ? Perhaps it might drive even virtuous you, If you were poor. But is it just, or grateful to the One That keeps even you from wrong ? Or even humble to shriek, “ Get you gone, For I am strong ” ? Temptation has not touched you, Mrs C . . . t ! Forsooth, I do not lie there, For you are only not the thing you aren’t Through being neither. 9