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John Betjeman - How To Get On In Society

Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.

Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.

It's ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule's comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me

Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know that I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?

Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I'm afraid the preserve's full of stones;
Beg pardon, I'm soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones. 

Credit: Reprinted with the permission of John Murray (Publishers) Ltd

Added: on April 21st, 2005 at 12:29 PM | Viewed: 5766 times | Comments (1)


How To Get On In Society - Comments and Information

Poet: John Betjeman
Poem: How To Get On In Society

Comment 1 of 1, added on April 21st, 2005 at 12:29 PM.

A wonderful poem. Incidentally, the reference to "fish-knives" is an interesting historical novelty. Fish knives were only invented in the latter part of the 19th century and so to have them showed that you had (horror of horrors) bought you cutlery, rather than having inherited it.

David Griffiths from United Kingdom

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