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I've searched in every likely place
Where he most oft is seen,
Said I, but find of him no trace:
What may this portent mean?
Where he most oft is seen,
Said I, but find of him no trace:
What may this portent mean?
Every old bookshop hereabout
In search of him I've entered,
For that is where (without a doubt)
His thoughts are chiefly centred.
In search of him I've entered,
For that is where (without a doubt)
His thoughts are chiefly centred.
To concert hall and theatre
I've also gone—but vainly—
Although 'tis there, his friends aver,
He spends his leisure mainly.
I've also gone—but vainly—
Although 'tis there, his friends aver,
He spends his leisure mainly.
Brown, Jones, and Robinson all say
That they nowhere have seen him,
Men of good faith and honour they,
Who wouldn't lie to screen him.
That they nowhere have seen him,
Men of good faith and honour they,
Who wouldn't lie to screen him.
He'd no misfortunes to lament,
Nor ways nor means was tasked for:
If cash he'd wanted I'd have lent
Whatever sum he asked for.
Nor ways nor means was tasked for:
If cash he'd wanted I'd have lent
Whatever sum he asked for.
And still the more for light I sought
The mystery seemed to thicken,
Till suddenly a brilliant thought
Did in my cranium quicken:
The mystery seemed to thicken,
Till suddenly a brilliant thought
Did in my cranium quicken:
He by some magical device
As I was masquerading,
And by this shabby artifice
On my good name was trading.
As I was masquerading,
And by this shabby artifice
On my good name was trading.
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