Question and Answer

What find you in the Ballet,

Come, witness, upon oath?

                 I find no shadow in it

                Of anything I loathe.

Its flouncing is but foolish,

It needs but skill of toe.

                And your familiar wisdom

                I know and over know.

My wisdom rules the nations,

And by it men progress.

                And I need exaltations

                To take me from the mess.

Such make-believes I smother

When I control the roast.

                Keep your carrion, brother,

                And let me keep the ghost.

John Masefield