I never quit, as others do,
⁠Political intrigue, to seek
The dingy literary crew,
⁠Or hear the voice of science speak.

But I have fostered, guided, planned
⁠Commercial enterprise: in me
Some ten or twelve directors and
⁠Six worthy chairmen you may see.

My academical career
⁠Was free from any sort of blot:
I challenge anybody here
⁠To demonstrate that it was not.

At classics too I worked amain,
⁠Whereby I did not only pass,
But even managed to obtain
⁠A very decent second class.

And since those early days, the same
⁠Success has crowned the self-same plan;
Profundity I cannot claim:
⁠Respectability I can.