Our Class

The Ballad of the Bomb
(A hypothetical incident)

1. The group was playing in the hall,
    The visitors were jiving,
    But one young mind among them all
    Abase plan was contriving.
2. Meanwhile, inside the library,
    The governors were talking,
    Out in the dark they could not see
    A silent figure walking.
3. Outside, the plotter, furtively,
    In careful silence walks;
    If things go right he plans to be
    A modern-day Guy Fawkes.
4. And all the while the governors
    Discussed the school's improving,
    And in the hall the revelers
    Were innocently grooving.

5. A rumour gave the fateful word
    "At ten expect a shock"
    And all those who the rumour heard
    Formed an expectant flock.
6. And all the while the governors
    Discussed the school's enhancing,
    And in the hall the revelers
    Were innocently dancing.
7. In cold and dark the fearful crowds
    Await the detonation;
    The fuse is lit - hushed silence shrouds
    Suspended animation
8. Ten seconds pass, no flash is seen
    No sound disturbs the hush;
    In fear of nitro-glycerine
    The crowds in panic rush.

9. Amid the rush the time-bomb makes
    A disappointing splutter,
    And from the lips of watchers breaks
    A disillusioned mutter.
10. Then lights flash on, the library
    Is filled with consternation;
    The watchers from the playground flee
    In fear of implication.
11. And when the next school-day came round
    Investigations started,
    The schoolboy Guy Fawkes, who was found,
    With painful justice smarted.
12. Oh Chemists, do not try your hand
    At such experimenting -
    Your joke may not work out as planned;
    And you'll be left lamenting.

R. Knowles LVI 1969

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