(W.H. Auden)

Victor was a little baby, into this world he came:

His father took him on his knee and said:' Don't dishonour the family

name.' Victor looked up at his father- loked up with big round eyes:

His father said:' Victor, my only son, don't you ever tell lies.'

It was a frosty December, it wsn't the season for fruits;

His father fell dead of heart disease while lacing up his boots.

It was a frosty December when into his grave he sank;

His uncle found Victor a post as a cashier in the Midlands Counties

bank.

It was a frosty December Victor was only eighteen.

But his figures were neat and his margins straight and his cuffs were

always clean.

He took a room at the Peveril, a respectableboarding-house: And Time

watched Victor day after day as a cat willwatch a mouse.

Victor went up to his bedroom, set the alarm bell;

Climbed into his bed, took his bible and read of happend to Jezebel.

It was the First of April, Anna to the Peveril came;

Her eyes, her lips, her breasts, her hips and her smile set men

aflame. It was the Second of April, she was wearing a coat of fur;

Victor met her upon the stairs and fell in love with her.

The first time he made his proposal, she laughed, said:' I'll never

wed':

The second time there was a pause, then she shook her head. Anna

looked at the mirror, pouted and gave a frown; Said;'Victor's as dull

as a wet afternoon but I've got to settle down.'

The third time hemade his proposal, as they walked by the Reservoir,

She gave him a kiss like a blowon the head, said,'You are my heart's

desire.'

They married early in August, she said;'Kiss me, you funny

boy':

Victor took her in his arms and said:'O my Helen of Troy.'

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