Before He Went to Live with Owls and Bats

Before he went to live with owls and bats, Nebuchadnezzar had an ugly dream, Worse than a housewife’s, when she thinks her cream Made a naumachia for mice and rats: So scared, he sent for that “good kind of cats,” Young Daniel, who did straightway pluck the beam From out his eye, and said – “I do not deem Your sceptre worth a straw, your cushions old door mats.” A horrid nightmare, similar somewhat, Of late has haunted a most valiant crew Of loggerheads and chapmen; – we are told That any Daniel, though he be a sot, Can make their lying lips turn pale of hue, By drawing out – “Ye are that head of gold!”