I said， "Why should a pyramid

    Stand always dully on its base？

    I'll change it！ Let the top be hid，

    The bottom take the apex-place！"

    And as I bade they did.

    The people flocked in， scores on scores，

    To see it balance on its tip.

    They praised me with the praise that bores，

    My godlike mind on every lip.

    —— Until it fell， of course.

    And then they took my body out

    From my crushed palace， mad with rage，

    —— Well， half the town WAS wrecked¹， no doubt ——

    Their crazy anger to assuage²

    By dragging it about.

    The end？ Foul³ birds defile⁴ my skull⁵.

    The new king's praises fill the land.

    He clings to precept⁶， simple， dull；

    HIS pyramids on bases stand.

    But —— Lord， how usual！