Road-Song of the Bandar-Log

           Herewegoinaflungfestoon, 

           Half-wayuptothejealousmoon! 

           Don’tyouenvyourprancefulbands? 

           Don’tyouwishyouhadextrahands? 

           Wouldn’tyoulikeifyourtailswere—so— 

           CurvedintheshapeofaCupid’sbow? 

           Nowyou’reangry,but—nevermind, 

           Brother,thytailhangsdownbehind! 

           Herewesitinabranchyrow, 

           Thinkingofbeautifulthingsweknow; 

           Dreamingofdeedsthatwemeantodo, 

           Allcomplete,inaminuteortwo— 

           Somethingnobleandwiseandgood, 

           Donebymerelywishingwecould. 

           We’veforgotten,but—nevermind, 

           Brother,thytailhangsdownbehind! 

           Allthetalkweeverhaveheard 

           Utteredbybatorbeastorbird— 

           Hideorfinorscaleorfeather— 

           Jabberitquicklyandalltogether! 

           Excellent!Wonderful!Onceagain! 

           Nowwearetalkingjustlikemen! 

           Let’spretendweare...nevermind, 

           Brother,thytailhangsdownbehind! 

           ThisisthewayoftheMonkey-kind. 

           Thenjoinourleapinglinesthatscumfishthroughthepines, 

           Thatrocketbywhere,lightandhigh,thewildgrapeswings. 

           Bytherubbishinourwake,andthenoblenoisewemake, 

           Besure,besure,we’regoingtodosomesplendidthings!