the ancients made no end of fuss

about a horse named pegasus,

a famous flyer of his time,

who often soared to heights sublime,

when backed by some poetic chap

for the parnassus handicap.

alas for fame! the other day

i saw an ancient "one-hoss shay"

stop at the mont de piété,

and, lo! alighting from the same,

a bard, whom i forbear to name.

noting the poor beast's rusty hide

(the horse, i mean), methought i spied

what once were wings. incredulous,

i cried, "can this be pegasus!"