Somebody Told It

First, somebody told it,Then the room couldn't hold it,So the busy tongues rolled itTill they got it outside.

Then the crowd came across it,And never once lost it,But tossed it and tossed it,Till it grew long and wide.

This lie brought forth others,Dark sisters and brothers,And fathers and mothers&md;A terrible crew.

And while headlong they hurried,The people they flurried,And troubled and worried,As lies always do.

And so evil-bodied,This monster lay goaded,Till at last it explodedIn smoke and in shame.

Then from mud and from mireThe pieces flew higher,And hit the sad victimAnd killed a good name.