Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/148

Thus we have a simple problem in subtraction, you will note:
    1$-\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{2}}$ must $\scriptstyle {={\frac {1}{2}}}$ 'tis plain.
But half his time to noble aims could Trimmer still devote,
    And so, we have small reason to complain.

But, what with Party meetings and no-confidence debates,
    He depleted this small $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{2}}$ by just $\scriptstyle {\frac {2}{3}}$;
Which was occupied in fanning Party jealousies and hates
    With redundant and unprofitable words.
Thus the first $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{2}}$ + $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{3}}$ must give $\scriptstyle {\frac {5}{6}}$ in answer; so,
    When $\scriptstyle {\frac {5}{6}}$ is given to the Party cause,
Of the whole there must remain, as any simpleton should know,
    Just $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{6}}$ to spend in framing splendid laws.

But $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{6}}$ of any busy politician's working day
    Is as much as any country should expect;
Yet Thomas found that, as the Party game he had to play,
    There were other matters he could not neglect.
Organizing, engineering, and a dozen other things,
    Of the $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{2}}$ remaining, claimed at least $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{3}}$,
And a simple calculation to $\scriptstyle {\frac {1}{9}}$ the answer brings—
    Which, to quote the famous Euclid, is absurd.

Yet, one whole ninth of Trimmer's time the grateful country gained,
    Till he chanced to get unhappily involved