Explore "To W. Hohenzollern, on Resuming" by Franklin P. Adams on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The Conning Tower
Well, William, since I wrote you long ago -- / As I recall, one cool October morning -- / (I have _The Tribune_ files. They clearly show / I gave you warning.)
Since when I penned that consequential ode, / The world has seen a vast amount of slaughter, / And under many a Gallic bridge has flowed / A lot of water.
I said that when your people ceased to strafe, / That when you'd put an end to all this war stuff, / And all the world was reasonably safe / I'd write some more stuff;
That when you missed the quip and wanton wile / And learned you couldn't bear a Towerless season, / I quote: "O, I shall not be petty. I'll / Listen to reason."
_Labuntur anni_, not to say _Eheu / Fugaces_! William, by my shoulders glistening!
I have the final laugh, for it was you / Who did the listening.