Volume 159 — TO CERTAIN CAUTIOUS PROPHETS.

Ye watchers of the wind and rain, Forgive me for becoming nettled By your monotonous refrain: "The further outlook is unsettled." When, on a bright and sunlit morn, I rise refreshed and finely fettled Your cue is not to cheer but warn: "The further outlook is unsettled." They are too rare, these halcyon days, When earth's a paradise rose-petalled, For you to chill us with a phrase: "The further outlook is unsettled." Too often have I shirked the goal At which (as Scotsmen say) I ettled, Discouraged by your words of dole: "The further outlook is unsettled." For instance, lately I resigned A trip to Shetland to be shettled; Your menace made me change my mind: "The further outlook is unsettled." Henceforth I'm going to defy You and your breed, inert, unmettled, Who chant that sad Cassandra cry: "The further outlook is unsettled." Ay, if I held untrammelled sway I'd have you bottled up and kettled Like djinns, until you ceased to say: "The further outlook is unsettled."