10 Best Famous Mainstay Poems

Sestina Otiosa

 Our great work, the Otia Merseiana, 
Edited by learned Mister Sampson, 
And supported by Professor Woodward, 
Is financed by numerous Bogus Meetings
Hastily convened by Kuno Meyer 
To impose upon the Man of Business. 

All in vain! The accomplished Man of Business 
Disapproves of Otia Merseiana, 
Turns his back on Doctor Kuno Meyer; 
Cannot be enticed by Mister Sampson, 
To be present at the Bogus Meetings, 
Though attended by Professor Woodward. 

Little cares the staid Professor Woodward: 
He, being something of a man of business, 
Knows that not a hundred Bogus Meetings 
To discuss the Otia Merseiana 
Can involve himself and Mister Sampson 
In the debts of Doctor Kuno Meyer. 

So the poor deluded Kuno Meyer, 
Unenlightened by Professor Woodward -- 
Whom, upon the word of Mister Sampson, 
He believes to be a man of business 
Fit to run the Otia Merseiana -- 
Keeps on calling endless Bogus Meetings. 

Every week has now its Bogus Meetings, 
Punctually convened by Kuno Meyer 
In the name of Otia Merseiana: 
Every other week Professor Woodward 
Takes his place, and, as a man of business, 
Audits the accounts with Mister Sampson. 

He and impecunious Mister Sampson 
Are the mainstay of the Bogus Meetings; 
But the alienated Man of Business 
Cannot be allured by Kuno Meyer 
To attend and meet Professor Woodward, 
Glory of the Otia Merseiana. 

Kuno Meyer! Great Professor Woodward! 
Bogus Meetings damn, for men of business, 
Mister Sampson's Otia Merseiana.