Terms most favourable,
Expenses reasonable,
Moderate rates for annual
Insurance.'
'That one is NOT my favourite,' interrupted the Phoenix, 'and I
think you've forgotten part of it.'
The manager hastily began another--
'O Golden Phoenix, fairest bird,
The whole great world has often heard
Of all the splendid things we do,
Great Phoenix, just to honour you.'
'That's better,' said the bird.
And every one sang--
'Class one, for private dwelling-house,
For household goods and shops allows;
Provided these are built of brick
Or stone, and tiled and slated thick.'
'Try another verse,' said the Phoenix, 'further on.'
And again arose the voices of all the clerks and employees and
managers and secretaries and cooks--
'In Scotland our insurance yields
The price of burnt-up stacks in fields.'
'Skip that verse,' said the Phoenix.
'Thatched dwellings and their whole contents
We deal with--also with their rents;
Oh, glorious Phoenix, look and see
That these are dealt with in class three.
'The glories of your temple throng
Too thick to go in any song;
And we attend, O good and wise,
To "days of grace" and merchandise.
'When people's homes are burned away
They never have a cent to pay
If they have done as all should do,
O Phoenix, and have honoured you.
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