Tempora Mutantur

Letters, letters, letters, letters!     Some that please and some that bore,     Some that threaten prison fetters     (Metaphorically, fetters     Such as bind insolvent debtors)     Invitations by the score.     One from COGSON, WILES, and RAILER,     My attorneys, off the Strand;     One from COPPERBLOCK, my tailor     My unreasonable tailor     One in FLAGG'S disgusting hand.     One from EPHRAIM and MOSES,     Wanting coin without a doubt,     I should like to pull their noses     Their uncompromising noses;     One from ALICE with the roses     Ah, I know what that's about !     Time was when I waited, waited     For the missives that she wrote,     Humble postmen execrated     Loudly, deeply execrated     When I heard I wasn't fated     To be gladdened with a note!     Time was when I'd not have bartered     Of her little pen a dip     For a peerage duly gartered     For a peerage starred and gartered     With a palace-office chartered,     Or a Secretaryship.     But the time for that is over,     And I wish we'd never met.     I'm afraid I've proved a rover     I'm afraid a heartless rover     Quarters in a place like Dover     Tend to make a man forget.     Bills for carriages and horses,     Bills for wine and light cigar,     Matters that concern the Forces     News that may affect the Forces     News affecting my resources,     Much more interesting are!     And the tiny little paper,     With the words that seem to run     From her little fingers taper     (They are very small and taper),     By the tailor and the draper     Are in interest outdone.     And unopened it's remaining!     I can read her gentle hope     Her entreaties, uncomplaining     (She was always uncomplaining),     Her devotion never waning     Through the little envelope!