Sestina Otiosa

Our great work, the Otia Merseiana,
    Edited by learned Mister Sampson,
    And supported by Professor Woodward,
    Is financed by numerous Bogus Meetings
    Hastily convened by Kuno Meyer
    To impose upon the Man of Business.

    All in vain! The accomplished Man of Business
    Disapproves of Otia Merseiana,
    Turns his back on Doctor Kuno Meyer;
  Cannot be enticed by Mister Sampson,
  To be present at the Bogus Meetings,
  Though attended by Professor Woodward.

  Little cares the staid Professor Woodward:
  He, being something of a man of business,
  Knows that not a hundred Bogus Meetings
  To discuss the Otia Merseiana
  Can involve himself and Mister Sampson
  In the debts of Doctor Kuno Meyer.

  So the poor deluded Kuno Meyer,
  Unenlightened by Professor Woodward --
  Whom, upon the word of Mister Sampson,
  He believes to be a man of business
  Fit to run the Otia Merseiana --
  Keeps on calling endless Bogus Meetings.

  Every week has now its Bogus Meetings,
  Punctually convened by Kuno Meyer
  In the name of Otia Merseiana:
  Every other week Professor Woodward
  Takes his place, and, as a man of business,
  Audits the accounts with Mister Sampson.

  He and impecunious Mister Sampson
  Are the mainstay of the Bogus Meetings;
  But the alienated Man of Business
  Cannot be allured by Kuno Meyer
  To attend and meet Professor Woodward,
  Glory of the Otia Merseiana.

  Kuno Meyer! Great Professor Woodward!
  Bogus Meetings damn, for men of business,
  Mister Sampson's Otia Merseiana.