Classic Poem

Soul of Perneb — let me pass that narrow door!
" Your tomb, " say you?
How so, proud dignitary?
This tomb was purchased by the Museum,
From the Egyptian Government,
Was bought and paid for!
It is their property
And I am welcome here.

I fear you not,
In your curled wig and beard
And stiff-starched little kilt;
Nor yet those rows of friends and relatives,
Gesticulating there upon your scribbled walls!

This is not Memphis,
Nor the Fifth Dynasty,
Old Perneb!
Look you without:
Behold Fifth Avenue,
The mighty street of gods that are not yours,
In this the year of grace,
Nineteen-nineteen!